MILLINGTON, Tenn. – U.S. Navy sailors from across the fleet are headed to South Texas for Rio Grande Valley Navy Week, Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, to volunteer in the community and discuss why the Navy matters to the Valley.
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| Rear Adm. David Faehnle (left), who grew up in Austin, will serve as one of the senior executives visiting the Rio Grande Valley for Rio Grande Valley Navy Week. (U.S. Navy photo) |
While many of the sailors are from all over the country, this Navy Week will carry special meaning for visiting sailors from Texas, including Rear Adm. David Faehnle, who grew up in Austin, Texas.
Faehnle graduated from David Crockett High School in 1991. Additionally, Faehnle earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1995 and a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College in 2015.
Upon joining the Navy, Faehnle quickly found that many of the skills and values forged in Austin were the same as those needed to succeed in the Navy.
“Growing up in Texas taught me the values of hard work, independence, and taking care of your teammates – the same values the Navy runs on every day,” Faehnle said. “Those values became ingrained and are a big reason why I continue to serve after more than three decades.”
Faehnle, who joined the Navy 31 years ago, served as a naval aviator, flying 35 combat missions and accumulating more than 3,400 flight hours. Faehnle held several leadership and command roles before assuming command as commandant of Naval District Washington in July 2024.
“My father and grandfather were both officers in the Navy and growing up with stories of serving inspired me to be a Naval Aviator,” Faehnle said. “I was motivated to serve the country and fly, and the Navy provide the opportunity to do both – today serving in the Navy provides me the opportunity to support my country while tackling complex challenges and motivating the sailors and citizens that I work with.”
Faehnle is serving as the senior executive for the first Navy Week to be hosted in the Rio Grande Valley. Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity.
“Navy Week is how we bring the Navy to communities that don’t see ships outside their window but still benefit from what the fleet does every day, and is an opportunity to share my experience in the service with the residents of my home state,” Faehnle said. “It’s the chance for the public to meet sailors face-to-face, ask questions, see what the Navy does to protect our way of life, and hopefully encourage young people to consider a career in the Navy.”
Faehnle serves as the regional commander of Naval District Washington and as deputy commander of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region. Naval District Washington provides operating support to more than 120 commands in Washington, D.C., and parts of Virginia and Maryland.
“I will always miss flying jets off of the aircraft carrier – there is nothing like it,” Faehnle said. “But leading people is the most meaningful job I’ve ever had, and I get to build teams, solve complex problems, and help develop the next generation of leaders. It’s not the same as launching off a catapult in full afterburner, but more rewarding and I get to work with the best people in the world.”
Faehnle has had many opportunities to excel in the Navy and sees military service as more than just a job – it represents a chance to become a better person.
“My proudest moments are not the flights and missions, but the time spent with sailors who grew into leaders and went on to do incredible things,” Faehnle said. “If I’ve done my job right, then my commands were better when I left than when I arrived and my teammates are stronger for it. It gives me great pride to watch their continued success.”
Faehnle is grateful for the Austin community and for those who helped make a Navy career possible.
“I wouldn’t be here without my family – they have continuously supportive of my career through challenging moves and long absences, and the local community is always appreciative of the service of all Sailors and Marines,” Faehnle added. “I’m proud bring sailors home to Texas to thank the community in person and share the Navy’s story.”
Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to communities like those in the Valley.
“We’re excited to bring Navy Week to the Rio Grande Valley for the very first time, and to kick off the 2026 Navy Week schedule in the Lone Star State,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, Navy Office of Community Outreach director. “As the nation celebrates Freedom 250 throughout 2026, the Navy’s Outreach team will embark on a celebratory ‘Road Trip to 250,’ linking key locations in America to our maritime dominance. Navy Weeks will serve as a symbolic link connecting communities across America to their Navy, highlighting the shared history and the enduring commitment to defending freedom and supporting our nation’s independence.”
Rio Grande Valley Navy Week events include multiple engagements at the Texas Citrus Fiesta Fun Fair and live performances throughout the week from the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard and the Navy’s New Orleans-style music group, the Deck Plate Brass Band.
Sailors will also be volunteering with the Boca Chica Beach Community Clean-Up, visiting schools across the Edinburg CISD, working on a service project at the American Legion Freddy Gonzalez Post 408, volunteering with the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley and more.
For a list of public events, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Rio-Grande-Valley-2026/.