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Two service members standing on land salute Nimitz as it cruises past.

Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz arrives in New York City on July 3, 2026, for International Naval Review 250, which honors the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard’s enduring role on, under, and above the seas. (Soren V.P. Quinata/U.S. Navy)

USS Nimitz sailed into New York Harbor on Friday to join the International Naval Review 250 in New York Harbor as part of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

The nation’s oldest and longest-serving aircraft carrier joins other U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships, along with participants from more than 50 allied and partner nations.

“Nimitz brings unparalleled historical significance to what will be the largest international maritime spectacle in U.S. history,” the Navy said.

The Saturday schedule included a massive Parade of Sail in the early morning, followed by a flyover led by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Also part of the show: U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning fighter jets, MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, and carrier-based multirole fighters. The MQ-25A Stingray—the Navy’s first operational carrier-based unmanned refueling aircraft— was on display upon the flight deck of USS Nimitz.

“Bringing the world’s navies together in New York Harbor for our semiquincentennial is a powerful demonstration of the strength and unity of our global alliances,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle said in a service news release. “For 250 years, the United States has relied on a strong sea service to protect our shores and ensure the freedom of the seas. Today, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with 55 partner nations, we send a clear message that our commitment to shared global security is stronger than ever.”

Aircraft trailing red, white and blue smoke fly over a collection of ships with the NYC skyline in the background.

Ships and aircraft participate in the International Naval Review 250 in New York on July 4, 2026. (Elliott Fabrizio/U.S. Navy)

The aircraft fly in the distance streaming red, white and blue smoke as the drill team watches from the flight deck.

U.S. Marines with the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon aboard the USS Arlington watch the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, or Red Arrows, in New York City, July 4, 2026.  (Michael Robinson/U.S. Navy)

A helicopter high above the Hudson River, with a collection of ships in the water and the lower Manhattan skyline in the distance.

An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to the "Proud Warriors" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 72, flies toward New York City during International Naval Review 250 on July 4, 2026. (Mike Shen/U.S. Navy)

The Kearsarge sails below the airborne helicopter.

An MH-60S Seahawk with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 11 flies over the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge during the International Naval Review 250 flyover in New York, on July 4, 2026. (August Clawson/U.S. Navy)

A part of an American flag flies in the foreground.

An MH-60S Seahawk with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron participates in the International Naval Review 250 flyover in New York, on July 4, 2026. (August Clawson/U.S. Navy)

Nimitz under the bridge.

USS Nimitz passes under the Verrazano bridge while arriving in New York City on July 3, 2026, for International Naval Review 250. (Soren V.P. Quinata/U.S. Navy)

A sailor salutes Lady Liberty.

Sailors and Marines manning the rails aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington render honors to the Statue of Liberty. (Brendan McCormack/U.S. Navy)

The sailors stand on the flight deck next to the island. No. 68, signifying Nimitz, is painted on the side.

Sailors stand by to man the rails of USS Nimitz as the ship sails into New York harbor during International Naval Review 250, July 3, 2026. (Tanner Orth/U.S. Navy)

The band director stands in front and waves his arms as the band plays.

The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Band performs during the “Fox and Friends” morning show in New York on July 2, 2026. The band performed a series of concerts across the city in support of the International Naval Review 250, celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday while showcasing the pride and power of the U.S. Navy to local communities and visitors. (Anastasia Bonotto/U.S. Navy)

One World Trade Center and the downtown New York skyline are in the background.

USS Arlington transits the Hudson River as part of International Naval Review 250 in New York on June 30, 2026. (Xavier Alicea/U.S. Marine Corps)

The sailor looks through the deck-mounted binoculars.

A U.S. Navy Sea Cadet stands lookout onboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington in support of International Naval Review 250, in New York, on July 2, 2026. (Martin Valdez/U.S. Navy)

The band members pose for a photo on the deck of the ship.

The United States Navy Band, the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth, and members of the Royal Australian Navy Band take a photo on the 1885 tall ship Wavertree at the South Street Seaport Museum in New York City, July 2, 2026, during International Naval Review 250 celebrating America’s 250th birthday. (April Enos/U.S. Navy)

Spectators listen to the music.

Audience members watch the United States Navy Band, the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth and members of the Royal Australian Navy Band perform a joint concert at the South Street Seaport Museum in New York City, July 2, 2026, during International Naval Review 250 celebrating America’s 250th birthday. (April Enos/U.S. Navy)

The Marine pulls himself up on the bar.

A U.S. Marine Corps officer participates in a pullup contest with U.S. Navy sailors in Times Square, New York, on July 3, 2026, as part of International Naval Review 250. (Mailani Jones-Thornton/U.S. Navy)

A screen at the aquarium with various fish showing.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Samantha Maragh Phillips, an administrative specialist with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Sail 250, visits the New York Aquarium as part of International Naval Review 250 on July 2, 2026. (Xavier Alicea/U.S. Marine Corps)

Sailors and Marines stand behind rails covered with banners that mark the Today show.

U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines assigned to USS Arlington participate in a segment for NBC’s “TODAY” ahead of International Naval Review 250 in New York on July 2, 2026. (Mailani Jones-Thornton/U.S. Navy)

The scout piers inside the helicopter.

A Scouting America Scout is lifted to view a U.S Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper helicopter during a tour of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Arlington in New York, July 3, 2026, as part of International Naval Review 250. (Natalia Thoen/U.S. Navy)

The platoon performs.

U.S. Marines with the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon perform in Times Square in New York for International Naval Review 250 on July 2, 2026. (Darren Cordoviz/U.S. Navy)

The platoon stands for a photo.

The U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon poses for a group photo on the iconic red steps in Times Square during International Naval Review 250 in New York, July 2, 2026. (Mike Shen/U.S. Navy)

Arlington hits Midtown Manhattan, with the Empire State Building in the background.

San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) arrives at International Naval Review 250 in New York City, June 29, 2026. (Martin Valdez/U.S. Navy)

A young girl stands next to the tank, with the Navy diver inside and the tic tac toe board on the glass.

A U.S. Navy diver, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12, plays tic-tac-toe with a member of the public during a dive tank demonstration in Times Square, New York, on July 3, 2026, as part of International Naval Review 250. (Mailani Jones-Thornton/U.S. Navy)

Two divers look out from inside the tank as people pass by.

U.S. Coast Guard divers interact with spectators at Pier 86 in New York on July 3, 2026, as part of International Naval Review 250. (Darren Cordoviz/U.S. Navy)

A young girl marks an X in the center square painted on the side of the tank withe diver inside.

A U.S. Coast Guard diver plays tic-tac-toe with a local resident at Pier 86 in New York on July 3, 2026, as part of International Naval Review 250. (Darren Cordoviz/U.S. Navy)

Yang plays a sousaphone ... A sign saying America’s Navy 250 covers the bell.

Musician 3rd Class Elvis Yang from Navy Band Northeast’s Jack Tar Brass Band performs in Duffy Square during International Naval Review 250. (Andrea Kolbach-Galo/U.S. Navy)

A crowd gathers around as the band plays.

Navy Band Northeast’s Jack Tar Brass Band performs in Duffy Square during International Naval Review 250. (Andrea Kolbach-Galo/U.S. Navy)

Six Marines tug on the rope.

U.S. Marines compete in a tug-of-war contest at Pier 86 in New York on July 3, 2026, as part of International Naval Review 250. (Darren Cordoviz/U.S. Navy)

Eagle sails past the Statue of Liberty.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle transits New York Harbor near the Statue of Liberty during Sail 250. Eagle joined tall ships from around the world as part of the maritime celebration commemorating America's 250th anniversary. (Perry Shirzad/U.S. Coast Guard)

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