WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy announced the 2007 “Calendar for America” Dec. 22, setting forth the official schedule of Navy Weeks in cities across America in the coming year.

In 2005, the Chief of Information (CHINFO) began a comprehensive initiative to conduct and align national Navy image, awareness, and branding efforts more effectively by coordinating existing Navy outreach assets which previously operated independently.

“A key tactic in this effort is the execution of dozens of Navy Weeks across America each year, which collectively make up the ‘Calendar for America,’ said Cmdr. John Wallach, Director of the Navy Office of Community Outreach. “During a typical Navy Week, the Navy establishes a concentrated presence in a U.S. city, leveraging a major community event such as an air show, state fair, or large-scale festival. On average, a Navy Week garners more than a quarter million live impressions and more than 4.4 million impressions via regional media outlets.”

Multiple Navy outreach assets are scheduled for the Navy Week, to include the Blue Angels, Leap Frogs, ship visits where possible, Navy Bands, namesake ship crews, flag officer speakers, SEAL (Sea, Air and Land) and EOD Explosive Ordnance Disposal) displays, DoD’s America Supports You grassroots organizations and premiere recruiting assets such as the F/A-18 flight simulator, Navy NASCAR show car, and new Accelerate Your Life Experience. Forty-two Navy Weeks have been conducted to date.

The 2007 Calendar for America has been established as follows:

Tampa, Fla., Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Jan. 20 – 27
Galveston, Texas, Galveston Mardi Gras, Feb. 14 – 20
Atlanta, Golden Corral 500, March 12 – 18
Phoenix/Tucson, MLB spring training, March 15 – 28
Louisville, Ky., Thunder Over L’ville, Apr. 16 – 22
Omaha, Neb., Offutt AFB Air Show, Apr. 30 – May 6
Denver, Cinco de Mayo Festival, Apr. 30 – May 6
Philadelphia, Stotesbury Regatta, May 13 – 19
Charlotte, N.C., NASCAR Speed Street, May 16 – 26
Little Rock, Ark., Riverfest, May 21 – 27
Chicagoland, Rockford, Ill. Air Show, May 30 – June 10
Oklahoma City, Star Spangled Air Show, June 4 – 10
Chattanooga, Tenn., Riverbend Festival, June 9 – 17
New England, New England Navy Week, June 20 – July 4
Detroit, Gold Cup Hydroplane Races, June 27 – July 15
Pittsburgh, Three Rivers Regatta, July 1 – 7
Indianapolis, Indianapolis Air Show, Aug. 20 – 26
Cincinnati, Riverfest, Aug. 27 – Sept. 3
St. Louis, St. Louis Air Show, Aug. 29 – Sept. 7
Salt Lake City, Utah State Fair, Sept. 6 – 16
Memphis, Tenn., Mid-South Air Show, Sept. 17 – 23
Dallas, Texas State Fair, Oct. 1 – 7
Twin cities, Minn., Twin Cities Marathon, Oct. 7 – 14
Raleigh, N.C., North Carolina State Fair, Oct. 14 – 21
San Antonio, Celebrate U.S. Military Week, Nov. 4 – 10

For more information on the Calendar for America or to find out how to participate, contact the Navy Office of Community Outreach at 901-874-5800 (DSN 882-5800) or visit www.navy.mil/navco/display.asp?page=home.html . Detailed information can also be found in NAVADMIN 375/06.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.