Military Flyover Kicks Off Fleet Week

New York City kicks off its 22nd annual Fleet Week celebration with a parade of ships -- and a military flyover -- along and over the Hudson River.

Thirteen vessels, including five Canadian ships, are slated to parade up the Hudson River at 11 a.m. today. The largest and most familiar ship is the USS Iwo Jima, a 40,500-ton assault helicopter carrier.

And regarding the flyover, White House officials aren't expected to resign after this one. Unlike the recent Air Force One photo op that left New Yorkers in a panic, today's flyby is part of the Fleet Week celebration. A White House official stepped down after last month's gaffe. Today's fly-over by four F-18 Hornets was scheduled for 11:45 a.m. The aircraft were to head north over the Hudson River, dipping to an altitude of 1,000 feet.

Fleet Week events will include a military aircraft flyover, free tours of the ships moored at docks in Manhattan and Staten Island, military band performances and tactical demonstrations by troops.

And of course sailors decked in full military whites stealing all the attention.

Active-duty military personnel and veterans can also ride for free on NY Waterway commuter ferries this week.

About 100,000 people are expected to visit the warships this week.

Below is a complete schedule for your Fleet Week 2009 events.

• Wednesday, May 20 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
  Parade of Ships
  Where: Along the Hudson River on the west side of Manhattan
• Thursday, May 21
  • 9 a.m. - noon
    USMC Air/Ground Demo
    tactical insertion / extraction of helicopter borne, combat equipped Marines into a landing zone, static displays
    Where: Coney Island, Brooklyn
  • 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Marine Day in Central Park
    Bands, static displays, martial arts demos, military working dogs
    Where: Central Park – 5th Ave. & 72nd Street
  • 11 a.m.-noon
    USCG Search and Rescue Demo
    Location: Stapleton Pier, Staten Island
  • 3-5 p.m.
    USMC Air/Ground Demonstration
    Where: Central Park
• Friday, May 22
  • 9 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
    Reenlistment / Promotion Ceremony
    Where: World Trade Center
  • 10 a.m.–noon
    USMC Display
    Aviation and personnel equipment
    Where: Orchard Beach/Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
  • 11 a.m. - noon
    Iwo Jima Wreath Laying
    Where: Intrepid Museum
• Saturday, May 23
  • 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m.
    Tug Of War – USN vs. USMC on the NBC Today Show
    Where: Rockefeller Plaza, 49th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues, Manhattan.
  • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
    USMC Day in Times Square
    bands, static displays, martial arts demos, military working dogs
    Where: 7th Ave & 46th St.
  • 10 a.m.-noon
    USMC Air/Ground Demo
    Where: Eisenhower Park, Long Island
  • 3-5 p.m.
    USMC Air/Ground Demo
    Where: Clove Lake Park, Staten Island
  • 5-8 p.m.
    USMC Band Performances
    Where: Central Park Band Shell
• Sunday, May 24
  • 10 a.m.-noon
    USMC Air/Ground Demos
    Where: Intrepid Museum
  • noon-4 p.m.
    Intrepid Band Performances
    Where: Intrepid Museum
  • 3-4 p.m.
    Intrepid Best Chow Contest
    Where: Intrepid Museum
  • 5-7 p.m.
    USMC Air/Ground Demo
    Where: Playland Park, Rye NY
• Monday, May 25
  • 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
    USMC Air/Ground Demo
    Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Kings County Memorial Day Parade
    Where: 3rd Ave & 87th St, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
  • 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
    Glendale Memorial Day Parade
    Where: Ridgewood / Glendale, NY
  • Noon-3 p.m.
    Staten Island Memorial Day Parade
    Where: Hart Blvd & Forest Ave, Staten Island
  • 1-2 p.m.
    Manhattan Memorial Day Parade
    Where: Broadway & Dyckman Streets, Manhattan
  • 2-5 p.m.
    Memorial Day Parade - Bronx City Island
    Where: City Island, Bronx
• Tuesday, May 26 from 9-11 a.m.
  USMC Air/Ground Demo
  Where: Westbury High School, Long Island
• Wednesday, May 27
  Ships and service members depart New York City