LA Fleet Week has quickly become an annual tradition that takes place over Labor Day weekend. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The event is a multi-day celebration of the U.S. armed forces and held at the Port of Los Angeles. LA Fleet Week features tours on active Navy ships, live entertainment, and aircraft flyovers.
The event has expanded in scope over the years and includes a STEM Expo for kids of all ages, a Conquer the Bridge Labor Day 5.3-mile walk/run over the Vincent Thomas Bridge, 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament, and a rigorous Obstacle Course.
The LA Fleet Week Foundation uses Labor Day Weekend because the cruise ships are in Alaska this time of year. Because the port was empty, the USS Comstock, USS Spruance, and the USS Scout were able to join the Battleship Iowa.
Boarding the USS Comstock 
Flight Deck Operations
On the flight deck of the USS Comstock 
The Well Deck of the USS Comstock
The USS Comstock is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship of the US Navy. Active duty seamen provide an informative tour of the ship. During my tour, we learned that this class of ship was created for amphibious operations and uses cranes to transfer vessels, munitions, and heavy equipment. Active aerial demonstrations grabbed everyone’s attention.
Inside the Expo, are a number of tables staffed from organizations to benefit active-duty military and veterans. A large section of the Expo is dedicated to STEM activities and competitions. Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine (Restaurant Impossible) was on hand to meet fans and for photo ops. That afternoon he served as a judge for the competition Galley Wars, a culinary competition between the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
Smhokin Pot Truck 
Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo 
Wings with Whisky BBQ Sauce
Some of LA’s most popular food trucks are onsite to provide tasty goodness. Grass-fed burgers from Austyn’s, Vietnamese banh mi from Mandoline Grill and Gumbo from Chef C’s Smhokin Pot, and Paradise Cookies were some of the trucks on hand. Wine and beer are also available.
The final events take place on Labor Day. Conquer The Bridge is a 5.3-mile run/walk race over the Vincent Thomas Bridge at the Port of Los Angeles. The course starts and finishes at 5th Street and Harbor Blvd. in San Pedro. “Battleship Blast”, a STEM competition begins at 9 a.m. in the Expo. Be sure to catch the Navy Leap Frogs parachute jump in the afternoon.
LA Fleet Week is free to the public. Please check the map for parking information.
lafleetweek.com
conquerthebridge.com
Hi Bryan,
Great photos and commentary. This looks like a wonderful event. One item……I did not know what “STEM” was, however, I looked it up since I could not find that in your review (unless I missed it?).
I would like to do the 5 mile run / walk some time over the bridge. That looks fun! Dean
Dean, thanks for the kind words.
STEM is an acronym for Science Technology Engineering and Math. Aerospace’s Dr. Austin was a huge STEM proponent.