Fleet Week kicks off in Miami; take a look inside the USS Bataan

MIAMI – Fleet Week kicked off Sunday in Miami and we’re giving you a sneak peek of all of the exciting things you’ll be able to see this week.

Local 10′s Jenise Fernandez got a full tour of the USS Bataan as it headed into port.

In true military style, she arrived in an MH-60 Sierra helicopter as the USS Bataan was just off the coast of Miami.

The ship is massive, carrying about 3,000 men and women of the Navy and the Marines.

It’s ready for deployment at any moment. In fact, it just came back from an 8-month deployment in the Persian Gulf.

This is a working ship, but it’s also where the sailors live, but now, they’re getting to stretch those sea legs.

“I am very anxious. I haven’t seen the family in over 10 months, so this will be the first time they’ve seen me in quite some time — since last summer,” Chief Logistics Specialist Donald Eugene said.

Eugene is from North Miami. A graduate of Miami Dade College, he is looking forward to helping inspire the next generation.

“I don’t think there’s any job out there that’s gonna allow you to travel as much as we do on the government’s dime,” Eugene said.

And the same goes for Senior Chief Carlos Augusto Rivas, who has been with the Navy for 23 years. He was born in Nicaragua, but raised in Miami.

“I thought I wasn’t going to be able to do a lot, being an immigrant. The Navy opened doors that I never imagined I could open,” Rivas said.

Both men said they are grateful for the opportunities and excited to enjoy home.

“Just the warm weather and a little bit of Miami love,” Rivas said.

As for Eugene, he said he’s of Haitian decent and is looking forward to having one of his home country’s traditional dishes.

For public tours/tickets, visit https://fleetweekmiami.org/.