Jets, Gun Salute to Mark Navy Base Ceremony Thursday

Naval Air Forces will welcome a new commander during a change-of-command ceremony aboard USS Nimitz at Naval Air Station North Island Thursday.

As is customary for many formal Navy ceremonies, a saluting battery aboard Nimitz will fire a gun salute to honor high-ranking guests. Although no rounds are actually shot, the cannons still emit a powerful sound.

To prepare for the ceremony, Nimitz will rehearse the salute firing on Wednesday between 10 and 11 a.m.

Residents and workers near Naval Air Station North Island and across San Diego Bay in downtown San Diego will probably hear the gun salute.

Two F-18 Hornet fighter jets also will fly over San Diego Bay from south to north over the ship during the ceremony, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m.

The military custom of firing gun salutes dates back hundreds of years, and by the mid-1700s the British Royal Navy was firing cannon salutes for various ceremonies and important historical anniversary dates.

– From a Navy news release.