HMAS Brisbane participates in San Francisco Fleet Week 2019.

Whilst deployed for her United States Combat System Qualification Trials (US CSSQTs), HMAS Brisbane and her crew were fortunate enough to take part in San Francisco Fleet Week 2019.

HMAS Brisbane ship's company standing at Procedure Alpha entering San Francisco Bay (Picture source: Royal Australian Navy)

Fleet Week is a United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard tradition in which active military ships and personnel recently deployed in overseas operations dock in a variety of major cities for one week. Fleet Week events occur across the United States and honour the contributions of men and women of the armed forces whilst advancing cooperation and knowledge among civilian and military-based humanitarian assistance personnel.

Brisbane was joined in San Francisco by five United States Navy vessels including one of its newest Destroyers, USS Zumwalt, and two United States Coast Guard Cutters, with over two thousand American service men and women participating in the festivities.

Brisbane engaged in many of the community activities including Ships Open Day, Blessing of the Fleet, Paramedic Ride Along, Art Exhibition, the Annual Italian Heritage Parade and hosting local dignitaries and business leaders for trade and investment dialogues.

In addition, Brisbane demonstrated her support to the engagement by hosting an Official Reception that concluded with a Ceremonial Sunset, bringing together local dignitaries, business leaders and Senior US Navy personnel.

The evening was a resounding success and built upon the strong relationship between Australian and American cultures in both an official and social capacity.

The visit concluded with a public open day in which over 2,500 locals from San Francisco visited Brisbane for tours throughout the ship and gained an appreciation of the ship's systems and capabilities.

HMAS Brisbane is currently in the United States completing her Combat System Trials and is due to return to Australian in December.