Q: Where is USS Gridley right now and why does it matter to Everett?
A: USS Gridley (DDG-101), homeported at Naval Station Everett, was moored pier-side at Valparaiso, Chile from April 17 to April 21, 2026, alongside USS Nimitz on the carrier’s final overseas deployment before its 2027 decommissioning. The two ships are circumnavigating South America as part of U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2026, a routine multinational engagement deployment publicly announced by U.S. Southern Command on March 23. Chilean President José Antonio Kast visited Nimitz during the port call.

USS Gridley Joins USS Nimitz for Chilean Port Visit on Carrier’s Final Overseas Cruise

One of Naval Station Everett’s five Arleigh Burke-class destroyers spent four days last week pier-side in Valparaiso, Chile, accompanying an aircraft carrier on what is publicly confirmed to be its last overseas deployment before decommissioning.

USS Gridley (DDG-101) — homeported in Everett — moored alongside the pier at Valparaiso from April 17 through April 21, 2026, while the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) anchored in Chilean territorial waters nearby. The Navy released the port visit details through its public affairs channels and U.S. Southern Command news pages, including imagery and an on-board visit by Chilean President José Antonio Kast.

The visit is the second scheduled stop along Southern Seas 2026, the U.S. 4th Fleet deployment that the Navy announced publicly on March 23, 2026. The strike group’s stated mission is partner-nation engagement and circumnavigation of South America en route to the U.S. East Coast. According to Naval Forces Southern Command, Nimitz is heading toward Norfolk, Virginia, where it is scheduled to begin the multi-year inactivation and decommissioning process expected to conclude in 2027.

For the Everett community, the headline is straightforward: Gridley — a destroyer Snohomish County families have watched come and go for years — is on a deployment of historic significance for the U.S. Navy.

What Is Southern Seas 2026?

Southern Seas is a recurring U.S. 4th Fleet deployment that has been conducted in various forms since the 1980s. It is not an exercise in the wartime sense; it is a multinational engagement deployment designed around port visits, passing exercises (PASSEXs) at sea, and ship-rider programs with partner navies in the Caribbean, Latin America, and South America.

The 2026 iteration officially launched on March 23, 2026, with U.S. Southern Command announcing the deployment of Nimitz and Gridley to the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility. According to the announcement, the strike group’s published itinerary includes engagements with at least ten partner navies — among them Ecuador, Chile, and others not yet named publicly — through scheduled port visits and passing exercises along the South American coastline.

The first published stop of the deployment was a bilateral engagement with the Ecuadorian Navy on April 7 and 8, followed by the Chilean port visit. The Navy has not publicly disclosed the strike group’s remaining itinerary, and we will not speculate on it here.

Why This Particular Cruise Is Different

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) was commissioned in 1975. It is the lead ship of the class that still forms the backbone of the U.S. carrier fleet, and the Navy has publicly stated that Southern Seas 2026 is the carrier’s final operational deployment.

After Nimitz returns to the East Coast, the ship begins a multi-year decommissioning process that the Navy has publicly projected to conclude in 2027. The defueling of the two A4W reactors and dismantling of the ship is a years-long undertaking; Nimitz’s last underway period before that work begins is, by the Navy’s own account, the deployment Gridley is on right now.

For Gridley’s crew and their Everett families, that means this deployment is one Naval Station Everett families will tell each other about for years.

The Chilean Port Visit, As The Navy Described It

According to Navy and U.S. Southern Command public affairs releases, the April 17–21 stop in Valparaiso included:

• A bilateral air engagement with the Chilean Air Force preceding arrival
• A reception aboard Nimitz for senior Chilean government and military leaders
• An on-board visit from Chilean President José Antonio Kast
• A passing exercise at sea with the Chilean Navy frigate Capitán Prat after departure

These details come exclusively from Navy.mil, the U.S. Southern Command news site, and DVIDS — all official public-affairs channels. We do not publish operational details beyond what those channels have released.

USS Gridley And Naval Station Everett

USS Gridley (DDG-101) is one of five Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers homeported at Naval Station Everett. The destroyers based in Everett, listed alphabetically, include:

• USS Gridley (DDG-101)
• USS Kidd (DDG-100)
• USS Momsen (DDG-92)
• USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114)
• USS Sampson (DDG-102)

Naval Station Everett, located at 2000 West Marine View Drive, is the Navy’s most modern major surface-ship base on the West Coast. It is the only major U.S. Navy installation in the Pacific Northwest with a deepwater carrier-capable pier, although Everett does not currently homeport an aircraft carrier.

The base has been in the public conversation for the past five months because of the Navy’s November 25, 2025 cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate program and the December 19, 2025 announcement of the new FF(X) program based on the Coast Guard’s Legend-class National Security Cutter. Everett was the publicly named planned homeport for the Constellation-class frigates; the FF(X) homeport question remains open. Snohomish County’s Military Affairs Committee, rebooted in February 2026, is working that question with the Washington congressional delegation.

That work continues. In the meantime, Gridley and the rest of Naval Station Everett’s destroyer fleet do what destroyers do — train, deploy, escort carriers, return home, and start again.

What This Means For Military Families In Everett

Deployments are public; the day-to-day rhythm of life around them is not. For families connected to Gridley specifically, the resources at Naval Station Everett are unchanged from any other deployment cycle:

• Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC), 425-304-3735 — provides deployment readiness, spouse employment programs (FERP, MySECO, MySTeP), financial counseling, and reintegration support. Walk-in and appointment options at the main Everett location, with satellite hours at Smokey Point.
• Child & Youth Programs (CYP) — the Child Development Center, Youth Programs, and the School Liaison Office handle continuity of care for children of deployed sailors, including school enrollment and special education advocacy across district lines.
• USO Northwest — operates a center inside the Sea-Tac International Airport USO and supports homecoming logistics regionally.
• American Legion Post 6 and the Everett Navy League Council — provide community connection points for families and veterans throughout the deployment cycle.

None of these resources are new. The point of listing them now is the same point that’s true any time a homeport ship is downrange: the support infrastructure is local, it’s free for eligible families, and the people who staff it are reachable by phone today.

The Bigger Picture For Everett

Naval Station Everett’s footprint on Snohomish County is significant. The base employs thousands of military and civilian personnel directly, supports a regional supply-chain ecosystem of contractors, and anchors the demand for off-base housing, schools, healthcare, and local services from Mukilteo to Marysville. Every deployment cycle ripples through that ecosystem.

The high-profile nature of this particular deployment — Nimitz’s final cruise, a Chilean head-of-state visit, the historical weight of the Nimitz name retiring — gives Gridley’s crew and their families something most homecomings won’t have: a story with national scope.

When the strike group eventually returns home (Nimitz to Norfolk, Gridley to Everett), the Everett portion of that homecoming will be a Naval Station Everett pier event under standard family-support and base-access procedures. The Navy and base public affairs will release timing publicly when that timing exists. We do not have it now and will not speculate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is USS Gridley deploying or returning?

Deploying. Per the Navy’s March 23, 2026 announcement, USS Gridley deployed with USS Nimitz to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility for Southern Seas 2026. The two ships are currently transiting the South American coastline.

When will USS Gridley return to Everett?

The Navy has not publicly released a return date. Once the Navy or Naval Station Everett public affairs releases an official homecoming date, the base will publish family information through standard channels.

Was anyone from Naval Station Everett at the Chilean port visit?

USS Gridley’s crew was pier-side at Valparaiso April 17–21, 2026. The Navy released the photos publicly through DVIDS. The Navy did not publicly release the names of any individual crewmembers below flag rank, and neither will we.

Why is this Nimitz’s final deployment?

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) was commissioned in 1975. The Navy has publicly stated the carrier will be decommissioned in 2027 after this deployment. Nimitz-class carriers are nuclear-powered, and the decommissioning process — including reactor defueling — takes multiple years.

Does Naval Station Everett homeport an aircraft carrier?

No. Naval Station Everett has a carrier-capable deepwater pier but does not currently homeport an aircraft carrier. The base homeports five Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and several Coast Guard cutters.

Where can military families in Everett get deployment support?

The Naval Station Everett Fleet & Family Support Center is reachable at 425-304-3735. Walk-in and appointment-based services include deployment readiness, spouse employment programs, and financial counseling. Smokey Point has satellite hours.

What happens to Naval Station Everett if FF(X) doesn’t homeport here?

That question is unresolved. Snohomish County’s Military Affairs Committee — rebooted on February 23, 2026 — is actively engaging the Washington congressional delegation on FF(X) homeport options. The Navy has not publicly named an FF(X) homeport as of this writing.

What ships did the Chilean Navy operate alongside Gridley?

According to Chilean and U.S. Navy public releases, the Chilean Navy frigate Capitán Prat conducted a passing exercise with USS Nimitz and USS Gridley after the Valparaiso port visit. No further joint ship details were released publicly.

Sources

• U.S. Navy Press Office: “Chile Welcomes Nimitz Carrier Strike Group” (Navy.mil, April 2026)
• U.S. Southern Command: “Chile Welcomes Nimitz Carrier Strike Group” (Southcom.mil, April 2026)
• U.S. 4th Fleet: “U.S. 4th Fleet Announces Southern Seas 2026 Deployment” (March 23, 2026)
• Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) imagery release
• U.S. Naval Institute News: USNI Fleet and Marine Tracker, April 20, 2026
• Stars and Stripes coverage of Chilean president visit, April 20, 2026
• Naval Station Everett public affairs and CNIC NW base information

When is Skate America 2026 in Everett? November 13-15, 2026 at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. All-session tickets went on public sale Thursday, April 23, 2026, with prices from $100 to $600. The event also includes an open practice day on Thursday, November 12 for all-session pass holders.

Elite figure skating is coming back to Everett, and today is the day tickets got real.

Skate America 2026 returns to Angel of the Winds Arena on November 13-15, marking the event’s return to Everett after previous stops in the city. All-session tickets went on public sale Thursday, April 23 — the same Thursday that has the Silvertips playing Western Conference Final Game 1 across town. Two major Everett sports moments on the same calendar day. That is what the downtown entertainment district has been building toward for years.

What you get with an all-session ticket

An all-session pass covers every competition session from Friday through Sunday, and it also grants access to the Thursday, November 12 practice day — which is not sold separately. That is a four-day figure skating experience with a single ticket, including every discipline: men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance, short programs and free skates both.

Prices run from $100 on the low end to $600 for premium seats. The middle bands are where most Everett fans will land, and the $100 seats are the best value Skate America has ever offered at Angel of the Winds Arena for a full four-day event.

The session-by-session schedule

Thursday, November 12: Practice day, all-session pass holders only. Friday, November 13 (Session 1): Men’s Short Program and Pairs Short Program. Saturday, November 14 (Session 2): Women’s Short Program and Men’s Free Skate. Saturday, November 14 (Session 3): Rhythm Dance and Pairs Free Skate. Sunday, November 15 (Session 4): Free Dance and Women’s Free Skate.

That is four competition sessions across three days, and each session features multiple disciplines. Saturday is a full day — two sessions, so bring snacks or plan dinner around the arena. Sunday’s Free Dance and Women’s Free Skate traditionally draw the biggest television audiences in the U.S. figure skating calendar.

How to buy

Tickets are available at the Les Schwab Box Office at Angel of the Winds Arena or online at angelofthewindsarena.com. The exclusive presale opened Wednesday, April 22 for eligible fans using the presale code FANS26. General public sale is open as of Thursday, April 23.

History says the mid-tier ($200-$400) seats will sell first. The $600 premium seats and the $100 upper-bowl seats tend to hang on longest. If you are trying to go with a group, buy together and buy early — Skate America pulls figure skating fans from across the Pacific Northwest and from British Columbia, and the Everett event has historically filled the building.

Why Skate America in Everett matters

Skate America is one of the six ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events held each fall, and it is the only one on U.S. soil. Winning a Grand Prix event qualifies skaters for the Grand Prix Final in December. For Olympic-quality figure skating, this is the highest level of competition you will see in Washington state all year.

Everett hosting the event speaks to how far the downtown arena has come since it opened. Angel of the Winds Arena is now a regular stop on the national figure skating circuit, and the combination of the 10,000-capacity venue, hotel density in downtown Everett, and the quick Sounder/light-rail access from Seattle has made Everett a preferred host city for U.S. Figure Skating.

What else is happening that weekend

November 13-15 is a Friday-through-Sunday that should make for a full downtown weekend. Hotels around the arena and along Broadway will book up fast — figure skating crowds tend to lock in lodging months in advance. If you are coming from Seattle, the Sounder train to Everett Station runs on weekends with limited service, and the light-rail extension to Everett is still in planning.

If you are local, plan to park early and walk. The arena’s east lot fills first. The city garages on Wetmore and Rockefeller are usually the smartest play for weekend event traffic.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Skate America 2026 take place?

November 13-15, 2026, with a practice day on Thursday, November 12 for all-session pass holders. Four competition sessions across three days.

Where is Skate America 2026?

Angel of the Winds Arena at 2000 Hewitt Avenue in downtown Everett, Washington.

When did Skate America 2026 tickets go on sale?

Exclusive presale began Wednesday, April 22, 2026 with presale code FANS26. General public on-sale opened Thursday, April 23, 2026.

How much are Skate America 2026 tickets?

All-session tickets range from $100 to $600 depending on seating section.

What does an all-session pass include?

Entry to every competition session Friday November 13 through Sunday November 15, plus access to the Thursday November 12 practice day (not sold separately).

Where do I buy Skate America tickets?

Online at angelofthewindsarena.com or in person at the Les Schwab Box Office inside Angel of the Winds Arena.

What disciplines are part of Skate America?

Men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance — all four Olympic figure skating disciplines, with both short and free programs across the weekend.

What happened with the AquaSox Thursday night? Everett beat the Spokane Indians 11-3 at Funko Field on April 23, 2026, with Carlos Jimenez driving in six runs. It was the AquaSox’s third straight win in their six-game homestand, and it set up a Friday night start that Everett fans have been waiting for all season — Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller on the mound on a rehab assignment.

The Everett AquaSox are putting together the kind of week that changes how a season feels. Three straight wins. Back-to-back-to-back multi-homer nights. And a Mariners rehab start arriving Friday at Funko Field with the weekend still to go.

Thursday at the ballpark belonged to Carlos Jimenez. The AquaSox first baseman drove in six runs in an 11-3 beatdown of the Spokane Indians, a Northwest League game that turned into a highlight reel after the middle innings. Everett is now 6-4 on the young season with the series win secured and two more games left on the homestand.

The Jimenez night

Jimenez has been the story of the AquaSox offense through the first two weeks of the season, but Thursday was something else. Six RBIs in a single game is the kind of line that gets a player Northwest League Player of the Week consideration, and Everett fans who were at Funko Field on a Thursday night in April got to watch it happen in person. The AquaSox scored multiple runs in multiple innings and never let Spokane back into it after the middle of the game.

This now makes three straight AquaSox wins after Brandon Eike and Josh Caron powered Wednesday’s 7-5 comeback with home runs — Eike’s a 418-foot game-tying two-run shot in the second inning, Caron’s the go-ahead solo shot that put the Frogs up 5-4. Tuesday’s series opener went to Everett 5-2 behind a stellar Taylor Dollard outing. Three nights, three wins, and the offense finally showing up behind the pitching that has carried the start of the year.

Spokane’s four-game slide

The Indians have now dropped four straight coming into Everett. This is not the same Spokane team that dominated the AquaSox in the season opener — it is a team getting beat up in the middle innings, with Everett’s bats finally breaking out against a pitching staff that was supposed to be the Northwest League’s best at the top of the rotation.

Bryce Miller arrives Friday

Friday night at Funko Field is circled. Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller makes his first rehab appearance with Everett at 7:05 p.m. PT, the second stop of a rehab assignment that started last Saturday with Triple-A Tacoma. Miller threw 1.2 innings for the Rainiers, touched 98 mph on his fastball, and is expected to stretch to roughly 45 pitches or three innings Friday against Spokane.

Miller is working back from an oblique injury suffered in Spring Training. If he looks healthy Friday, he is one start away from a Mariners activation. If he doesn’t, Everett becomes a longer stop. Either way, AquaSox fans get to see one of Seattle’s most important starting pitchers throw a real game on a Friday night in Everett — and the Funko Field Friday Fireworks show comes after, which makes Friday’s ticket the best value of the homestand by a wide margin.

Prospect watch

The young Mariners bats are finally showing signs of life alongside the veteran presence. Felnin Celesten remains the highest-ceiling prospect in the lineup. Josh Caron is making the most noise at the plate after Wednesday’s go-ahead shot. Eike’s opposite-field power looks real. And Jimenez, who entered the week on nobody’s top-prospect radar, is now the hottest bat in the Northwest League.

What’s next

The Spokane series wraps with games Friday (7:05 p.m.), Saturday (7:05 p.m.), and Sunday (1:05 p.m.) at Funko Field. Friday’s Bryce Miller rehab start is the marquee. Saturday brings another prime-time atmosphere. Sunday wraps the homestand before the AquaSox go back on the road.

Tickets are available at aquasox.com, the Funko Field box office, or at the gate. The Friday fireworks night is already the hottest single-game ticket of April. If you have been waiting for the right night to bring the family to a High-A game in Everett, Friday at 7:05 against Spokane with a Mariners starter on the mound is it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the AquaSox score Thursday?

Everett beat the Spokane Indians 11-3 on April 23, 2026 at Funko Field. Carlos Jimenez drove in six runs.

When does Bryce Miller pitch for the AquaSox?

Friday, April 24 at 7:05 p.m. PT at Funko Field against Spokane. He is expected to throw around 45 pitches or three innings.

Why is Bryce Miller pitching for the AquaSox?

He is on a Major League rehab assignment from the Seattle Mariners, recovering from an oblique injury. This is the second stop of his rehab after Triple-A Tacoma.

Are AquaSox tickets still available for this homestand?

Yes for Saturday and Sunday. Friday’s Bryce Miller start with Funko Field Fireworks is selling quickly — check aquasox.com for availability.

Where is Funko Field?

Funko Field at Everett Memorial Stadium is at 3802 Broadway in north Everett, about five minutes from downtown.

What is the AquaSox record?

Everett is 6-4 on the season after three straight wins over Spokane, and the team is now second in the Northwest League standings.

When is Silvertips vs. Penticton Vees Game 1? Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 7:05 p.m. PT at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. Game 2 goes Saturday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. PT, also at home. It is the WHL Western Conference Final — one round from the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Tonight is the biggest game at Angel of the Winds Arena since the last time the Everett Silvertips played for a Western Conference title — and this is not the same roster that last got here. This roster is already carrying numbers the Western Hockey League has never seen.

The Silvertips host the Penticton Vees at 7:05 p.m. PT in Game 1 of the WHL Western Conference Final. Game 2 follows Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. Both games are at Angel of the Winds Arena, and both are sellouts of the best kind — Everett fans have watched this team roll to a 7-0 playoff record and the best regular season in franchise history. Now they get to watch two home games against the team that earned the right to try to end the run.

Anders Miller is writing a WHL record book

The story tonight, for anyone watching closely, is Anders Miller in the Everett net. Miller has posted a .948 save percentage through two rounds of the playoffs. That is the highest mark by any WHL goaltender with nine or more playoff games in league history. He stopped 30 of 31 shots in the Game 5 overtime clincher against Kelowna. He made 37 saves the night before that. He does not look like a 19-year-old kid in a playoff run — he looks like the steadiest goalie in the WHL right now.

If Miller keeps this up, Everett has a realistic shot at its third WHL championship. That is how much he has raised the team’s ceiling.

DuPont, Bear, and an attack the Vees have not seen before

Landon DuPont leads all WHL defensemen with 13 playoff points. His overtime winner 29 seconds into extra time in Game 5 against Kelowna is the kind of moment that gets replayed for a decade. Carter Bear has been just as important — his shorthanded goal broke open Game 5 in the third period, and he has been Everett’s most consistent two-way forward all spring. Matias Vanhanen, the Finnish import who was not supposed to be a top-line option this season, leads the team with 14 playoff points and has been the discovery of the playoffs.

Everett has outscored opponents 40-9 across its seven playoff games. Nine goals against. Seven games. That is the math of a team that is not just winning, but suffocating.

What the Vees bring

Penticton is not a fluke. They finished second in the Western Conference and swept a competitive series to get here. Their lone NHL-drafted player, Kvasnicka, has 13 playoff points of his own. Regular season head-to-head, Everett took the series 3-1, but one of those Penticton wins was a 7-0 shutout of the Silvertips — proof that when the Vees get their game clicking, they can embarrass anyone. Penticton has publicly said they are “not intimidated” coming into the series. Good. Everett fans want the real thing.

How to watch (and where to be)

If you have tickets, doors at Angel of the Winds Arena open early and the building has been loud all playoffs — get there for warmups. If you don’t, the game airs on the WHL’s broadcast partners, and most Everett sports bars downtown and on Broadway will have it on. Saturday’s Game 2 is a better get-there-early window if tonight sells through.

The full Western Conference Final schedule runs through early May if it goes seven games. Games 3 and 4 are in Penticton (April 28 and 29), and any Games 5, 6, or 7 return to Everett for the later dates.

Why tonight matters beyond tonight

This is the farthest Everett has been in the playoffs since 2018. The franchise has won two WHL titles — 2018 was the last run that carried this much weight — and the Ed Chynoweth Cup has not lived in Everett since 2018. Beat Penticton and Everett is four wins away from another one. Lose at home tonight and the road to the final gets a lot steeper.

But with Miller playing the best hockey of his life, DuPont quarterbacking the back end, and Bear and Vanhanen driving the offense, there’s a real argument that this Silvertips team is the best Everett has iced in a decade. Tonight, we start to find out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is Silvertips vs. Penticton Vees Game 1?

Puck drop is 7:05 p.m. PT on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett.

When is Game 2?

Game 2 is Saturday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. PT, also at Angel of the Winds Arena.

What is the Everett Silvertips’ playoff record so far?

The Silvertips are 7-0 in the 2026 WHL Playoffs, having swept Seattle in Round 1 and beaten Kelowna 4-1 in Round 2. They have outscored opponents 40-9 across those seven games.

Who is Anders Miller?

Anders Miller is Everett’s starting goaltender. His .948 playoff save percentage through two rounds is the highest mark by any WHL goalie with nine or more playoff games in league history.

Where is Angel of the Winds Arena?

2000 Hewitt Ave. in downtown Everett, Washington — one block east of the future downtown stadium site.

What happens if the Silvertips win the Western Conference Final?

They advance to the WHL Championship — the Ed Chynoweth Cup Final — against the Eastern Conference champion. Everett’s last WHL title was 2018.

Q: What is Month of the Military Child, and how does Naval Station Everett mark it?
A: Month of the Military Child is a national observance every April that recognizes the children of U.S. service members. Designated by Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger in 1986, 2026 marks its 40th anniversary. At Naval Station Everett, the observance is anchored by the base’s Child and Youth Programs, the School Liaison Office, Fleet and Family Support Center, and community partners like the Lake Washington & Everett Council of the Navy League. Purple Up Day — when the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force communities all wear purple to represent every service branch — fell on April 15 this year.

Month of the Military Child Turns 40: How Naval Station Everett Supports Navy Kids in 2026

April is Month of the Military Child, and in 2026 it is a milestone observance — 40 years since Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger first designated April as a dedicated month to recognize the children of U.S. service members. For Naval Station Everett and the Navy families who live on base and throughout Snohomish County, that 40-year anniversary hits differently than a typical April.

Navy kids move an average of six to nine times before they graduate from high school. They say goodbye to a parent for a deployment that often stretches past seven months. They change schools, lose friends, and start over — and then do it again. Month of the Military Child exists because somebody, four decades ago, recognized that the sacrifice inside a military household is not carried by the sailor alone.

Here is what the observance looks like at the Naval Station Everett level in 2026, and where Navy kids and the parents who love them can plug into local support.

Why April, and Why Purple

The designation of April as Month of the Military Child goes back to 1986, when Caspar Weinberger — then Secretary of Defense under President Reagan — formalized the observance. The choice of the color purple came later and has stuck because purple combines the traditional colors of every military branch: Army green, Marine Corps red, Navy and Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, and Space Force grey all blend into one. When everyone wears purple on Purple Up Day, it is a visual way of saying: the military child belongs to every service, not just one.

Purple Up Day in 2026 landed on Wednesday, April 15. Schools across Snohomish County that serve military-connected students — the Mukilteo, Everett, and Marysville school districts in particular — mark the day with purple shirts, purple ribbons, and classroom activities that let military kids be seen for the specific thing they are.

Naval Station Everett Child and Youth Programs

The hub of base-level support for Navy kids at NAVSTA Everett runs through the installation’s Child and Youth Programs office. Three pieces matter most to families:

The Child Development Center

The Everett Child Development Center provides center-based care for children ages six weeks through five years. The CDC is primarily structured around full-time care for working Navy families — a critical need when one parent is underway and the other is holding the line at home. Availability at CDCs across Navy Region Northwest has been tight for years, and Everett is no exception. Families relocating to the area are encouraged to put their names on the waitlist the moment they receive orders.

Youth Programs

For school-age kids, Youth Programs runs a monthly calendar that covers classes, 4-H, field trips, special events, sports clinics, and summer camp. During Month of the Military Child, youth programming typically leans into themes of resilience, connection, and celebration — giving Navy kids a space where everyone in the room understands what a duty station change or a deployment countdown actually feels like.

The School Liaison Office

Perhaps the most underused resource at NAVSTA Everett is the School Liaison Office. The School Liaison serves as the subject-matter expert on K-12 issues for the installation commander and, more importantly, for every Navy family that has to navigate a school transfer mid-year. The office helps with inbound and outbound school transfers, information on local school district boundaries, Individualized Education Program (IEP) continuity across state lines, and the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children — the legal framework that protects military kids from losing credits or being forced to retake coursework when they move.

The School Liaison office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by appointment. Families can follow @EverettFFR on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Fleet and Family Support Center: The Parent-Facing Half

Month of the Military Child focuses on kids, but the reality is that military kids do well when the parent at home is supported too. The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) at NAVSTA Everett carries that weight through programs that serve the whole household: Family Employment Readiness, deployment readiness, new-parent support, counseling, and relocation assistance.

FFSC is reachable at 425-304-3735. For a spouse arriving in Everett for the first time with two kids in tow and a sailor about to go underway, that phone number is the single most useful thing in this article.

The Community Side: Navy League, School Districts, and Local Partners

Naval Station Everett is not an island. The Lake Washington and Everett Council of the Navy League of the United States is one of the most active community partners supporting sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, merchant mariners, and their families across the region. The council’s advocacy and education work touches Month of the Military Child each year through ship sponsorships, school programs, and public events that connect the civilian side of Snohomish County to the Navy families who live here.

Mukilteo School District, which serves the largest share of NAVSTA Everett’s school-age kids, is a Purple Star-designated district — a Washington State designation that recognizes schools going above and beyond to support military-connected students. Everett Public Schools and Marysville School District also serve significant populations of Navy families.

What a Navy Kid Actually Deals With

The statistics behind Month of the Military Child are worth sitting with. A military child’s school day is not the same as a civilian child’s. Deployments, duty-station moves, and the constant background hum of a parent’s underway schedule layer an extra weight on top of the normal stuff kids have to handle — friendships, grades, growing up.

The upside is that Navy kids — military kids generally — grow up with a kind of resilience and worldliness that is hard to replicate. They know how to walk into a cafeteria full of strangers on day one. They know airports. They know how to make friends fast, because the alternative is to not have friends at all. But that resilience is not free; it is built on top of real loss, and it takes a village of programs, teachers, school liaisons, youth directors, and neighbors to make sure the weight does not become too much.

Month of the Military Child, at its 40-year mark, is the moment each year when the country is invited to notice.

How Everett Residents Can Show Up

For civilian neighbors in Everett and broader Snohomish County who want to do something concrete this April, a few practical options:

• Wear purple — even after Purple Up Day. Ribbons on mailboxes, purple porch lights, and purple-themed local business promotions are simple visible signals.
• Support the Lake Washington and Everett Navy League Council — membership and volunteer work directly funds programs for military families.
• Check in on a Navy family you know — especially one with a sailor currently underway. An offered meal, a ride for the kids, or a Saturday of childcare in April is worth more than a social media post.
• Thank a teacher who serves military kids. School counselors, classroom teachers, and school liaison personnel carry a lot of this weight invisibly.

The 40-Year Thread

When Weinberger designated April as Month of the Military Child in 1986, the Cold War was not yet over, the Navy’s destroyer force looked nothing like it does today, and Naval Station Everett did not yet exist as a commissioned base. Forty years later, the fleet has changed, the missions have changed, and the ships homeported at Everett have rotated through generations of crews.

What has not changed is the kid waiting at the pier with a hand-lettered sign. Or the teenager who transferred in mid-semester and has not figured out where to sit at lunch yet. Or the six-year-old drawing a picture of a destroyer to mail to a parent who is somewhere they cannot be named. Those are the kids this month belongs to.

Forty years in, and the work is not finished.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Purple Up Day in 2026?

Purple Up Day for Month of the Military Child in 2026 was Wednesday, April 15. The designated day varies slightly year to year but consistently falls in mid-April.

What is the School Liaison Office at Naval Station Everett, and how do I contact it?

The School Liaison Office serves as NAVSTA Everett’s expert on K-12 school issues for military families. It helps with inbound and outbound school transfers, IEP continuity across state lines, and the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by appointment. Follow @EverettFFR on Facebook or Instagram for updates.

How do I get on the Everett Child Development Center waitlist?

Families should contact NAVSTA Everett Child and Youth Programs as soon as orders are received. The Child Development Center provides care for children six weeks through five years, and demand exceeds capacity across Navy Region Northwest, so early waitlist placement is important.

What does the Fleet and Family Support Center do for military families in Everett?

The FFSC at NAVSTA Everett runs programs covering spouse employment, deployment readiness, new-parent support, counseling, and relocation assistance. Contact: 425-304-3735.

Why is the color purple used for Month of the Military Child?

Purple combines the traditional branch colors — Army green, Marine Corps red, Navy and Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, and Space Force grey — into one unified color that represents every service branch. It signals that military children belong to every branch of the armed forces, not just one.

Which local school districts serve Naval Station Everett families?

Mukilteo School District serves the largest share of NAVSTA Everett’s school-age children and is designated a Purple Star district by Washington State. Everett Public Schools and Marysville School District also serve significant populations of Navy families in Snohomish County.

How can civilians in Everett support military children in April?

Wear purple, support the Lake Washington and Everett Council of the Navy League, check in on neighboring Navy families (especially those with a sailor deployed), and thank teachers and school staff who support military-connected students.

When was Month of the Military Child established?

Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger designated April as Month of the Military Child in 1986, making 2026 the 40th anniversary of the observance.

Why is Snohomish County’s entire federal delegation fighting for Naval Station Everett to get the FF(X) frigate homeport? Because Naval Station Everett is a $340-million-a-year engine for the north Snohomish County economy today, and the FF(X) decision is the difference between that number growing meaningfully over the next decade or being capped at current levels — which, in base-realignment terms, eventually means risk. Rep. Rick Larsen, Sen. Maria Cantwell, Sen. Patty Murray, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, and Economic Alliance Snohomish County are all public, aligned, and specific about what they want: the FF(X) homeport, on the same infrastructure and Pacific-access grounds that won Everett the Constellation-class assignment in 2021.

The $340 Million Figure — What It Actually Covers

Economic Alliance Snohomish County’s public estimate is that Naval Station Everett generates approximately $340 million in annual regional economic activity. That figure is built from three layers:

• Direct payroll: Active-duty sailor pay, civilian federal employee pay, and on-base contractor pay. Roughly 6,000 personnel total.
• Base contracting: Ship maintenance contracts, facilities services, food service, and supply purchases that flow through local vendors.
• Multiplier effects: Housing spending, retail, childcare, medical services, schools, and small-business demand generated by Navy families living in north Snohomish County.

When officials talk about Everett’s frigate future, this is the number at stake.

What the Constellation Cancellation Cost the County

Twelve Constellation-class frigates were supposed to arrive in Everett between 2026 and 2028, bringing approximately 2,900 additional personnel plus dependents. That’s the growth trajectory Economic Alliance Snohomish County had been modeling: roughly a 50% increase in active-duty population, a proportional bump in economic activity, and the pier and infrastructure investment that comes with preparing a base for a new class. On November 25, 2025, all of that was cancelled when Secretary Phelan pulled the plug on the program.

The December 19, 2025 FF(X) announcement is Plan B. A replacement class — Legend-class cutter-based, first launched in 2028, with homeports still to be decided — offers Everett a path back to growth, but on a longer timeline and at a smaller per-hull population than Constellation would have delivered.

The Coalition — Who’s Lobbying and Why It Matters

Snohomish County’s FF(X) lobbying coalition is unusually unified for a federal military basing decision:

• Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Everett) is ranking member of the House Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee — the committee with direct jurisdiction over surface combatant basing, homeporting directives, and military construction funding. That’s the single most consequential seat in Congress for this fight.
• Sen. Maria Cantwell sits on Senate Commerce and has long championed Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Navy workforce issues.
• Sen. Patty Murray chairs Senate Appropriations — if FY2027 Navy MilCon funding for Everett pier upgrades is needed, it flows through her committee.
• County Executive Dave Somers carries the local-government economic development pitch, the existing-infrastructure argument, and the political cover for any base-access or transportation investment the county would need to contribute.
• Economic Alliance Snohomish County is the private-sector backbone, aligning the Chamber, aerospace suppliers, healthcare networks, and education institutions behind the homeport case.

Why Everett’s Infrastructure Case Still Holds

The arguments that won Everett the Constellation homeport assignment in 2021 have not changed for FF(X):

• Deepwater Pacific access. Direct egress without an Intracoastal or Atlantic transit — matters for Pacific Fleet forward-deployment pacing.
• Existing pier inventory. Everett’s own piers plus access to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for dry-dock availabilities.
• Housing headroom. Navy Housing Northwest inventory and the broader Snohomish County market can absorb additional personnel at the FF(X) scale without the pressure San Diego or Pearl Harbor would face.
• Workforce continuity. A labor market already tuned to Navy work, augmented by IAM 751-level manufacturing depth at Boeing Everett.

The Growth Math If Everett Wins FF(X)

A twelve-ship FF(X) homeport at approximately 140 sailors per hull — versus Constellation’s 200-plus — produces a growth curve smaller than the Constellation plan but still meaningful. Roughly 1,700 additional active-duty personnel, plus dependents, plus support commands. On the $340M baseline, a frigate-class homeport win should add a low-nine-figure annual economic impact increment by the mid-2030s once the class is fully operational at Everett.

The Downside Risk If Everett Doesn’t Win

If the FF(X) class is homeported elsewhere — likely San Diego or a new Pacific Fleet site — Naval Station Everett’s near-term footprint is stable but its growth story is effectively closed for the rest of the decade. In military basing terms, a static base is a vulnerable base when future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) rounds eventually occur. Every five-to-ten years, the politics of federal military consolidation put smaller homeports on the defensive. Winning FF(X) doesn’t make Everett BRAC-proof, but losing it meaningfully shortens the runway.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Naval Station Everett worth to Snohomish County’s economy right now?

Economic Alliance Snohomish County estimates the base generates approximately $340 million in annual regional economic activity through payroll, base contracting, and multiplier effects on housing, retail, schools, and medical services.

What was Snohomish County supposed to gain from the Constellation-class frigates?

Twelve Constellation-class frigates would have brought approximately 2,900 additional personnel plus dependents to Naval Station Everett between 2026 and 2028, growing the base’s population by roughly 50% and delivering a proportional bump to the $340M annual economic impact figure.

How many sailors would FF(X) bring compared to Constellation?

FF(X) is planned for about 140 sailors per hull versus Constellation’s 200-plus. A twelve-ship FF(X) class would bring roughly 1,700 active-duty personnel, compared to Constellation’s planned 2,900 — a smaller population bump, but still a meaningful growth story.

Why is Rep. Rick Larsen’s HASC Seapower seat the most important piece of this?

The House Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee has direct jurisdiction over surface combatant basing, homeport directives, and Navy MilCon funding. As ranking member, Larsen is positioned to shape the committee’s language on FF(X) homeport decisions — a lever no other member of Washington’s delegation holds.

Could Naval Station Everett be closed if it doesn’t win FF(X)?

Not in the near term. Everett’s current five-ship footprint is stable through the decade. However, losing the FF(X) growth story caps the base at current levels and, over the longer horizon of future BRAC rounds, increases vulnerability to consolidation decisions. That’s the strategic argument underneath the lobbying effort.

When will the FF(X) homeport decision be announced?

Homeport announcements typically precede lead-hull launch by 12–18 months. With first FF(X) launch targeted for 2028, the homeport decision window is approximately 2026–2027. FY2027 Navy budget language, released in early 2026, may contain early signals.

Related Exploring Everett Coverage

• The FF(X) Frigate and Naval Station Everett: The Complete 2026 Guide
• Snohomish County’s $340M Fight: How Local Leaders Are Responding
• NAVSTA Everett After the Frigate Cancellation: A Complete Guide

If you’re a Navy family at Naval Station Everett, what does the FF(X) frigate announcement actually change for your life? Short version: nothing in the next 24 months, and potentially a lot in the next decade. The twelve Constellation-class frigates that were going to reshape Everett’s base population between 2026 and 2028 are cancelled. The replacement program — FF(X), based on the Coast Guard’s Legend-class cutter — won’t see its first hull launched until 2028, with homeports announced sometime between 2026 and 2027 and first operational arrivals in the early 2030s. If you’re PCSing to Everett this summer, Everett is still a five-ship homeport with roughly 6,000 personnel. If you’re thinking about what it means to buy here, put kids in Mukilteo schools, or build a second career in Everett — the longer horizon matters.

What’s Staying the Same for Navy Families at NAVSTA Everett

The three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers currently homeported at Naval Station Everett, including USS Gridley, are not affected by the Constellation cancellation or the FF(X) decision. The five-ship current footprint — destroyers plus supporting ships and commands — is stable through the rest of the decade. Base housing at Navy Housing Northwest, on-base childcare, the Navy Exchange, the commissary, and all family-support services run out of Fleet and Family Support Center Everett continue to operate at current capacity.

For a family receiving PCS orders to Everett in 2026 or 2027, the base experience you’re moving into is the one current Everett families know: a mid-size Pacific Fleet homeport with roughly 6,000 uniformed and civilian personnel, strong ties to Mukilteo and Everett school districts, and the same commute patterns to on-base work.

What Changes If Everett Wins the FF(X) Homeport

If Rep. Rick Larsen’s ongoing lobbying effort succeeds and Naval Station Everett is named the FF(X) homeport, the growth arrives in three waves:

• Early 2030s: First FF(X) hulls begin arriving. Twelve-ship class at ~140 sailors per hull means approximately 1,700 additional active-duty personnel over the arrival period, plus dependents — roughly 1,000 more school-age children and 1,500 more household moves through the local housing market.
• Pier and infrastructure work: Shore power upgrades, additional berthing capacity, and expanded dry-dock utilization at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for mid-life availabilities. This is multi-year construction that starts before the first hull arrives.
• Support command growth: Frigate training detachments, maintenance liaison teams, and expanded logistics commands typically follow a new class assignment.

The Smaller Crew Size Actually Matters

The Constellation class was designed for 200-plus sailors per hull. FF(X) is currently planned for about 140. For Navy families, that’s a 30% reduction in the per-ship footprint. If you assumed Everett would get a Constellation-scale population bump, the FF(X) class delivers something closer to two-thirds of that story. Housing pressure on Mukilteo, Marysville, and south Everett neighborhoods would be meaningfully less than the 2021–2024 projections suggested. Schools would absorb fewer new students per class arrival. The base’s baseline six-ship-plus operational footprint would still grow, just not as sharply.

What to Watch If You’re PCSing to Everett

The FF(X) homeport decision is the single biggest open variable for Everett Navy family planning over the next 24 months. Three signals to track:

• FY2027 Navy budget (released early 2026): Homeport language, if included, will name candidate bases for pier-upgrade funding. If Everett appears in Navy Military Construction line items, the assignment is likely moving in Everett’s direction.
• Pier infrastructure RFPs: NAVFAC Northwest issues construction solicitations when new class arrivals are being prepared for. Watch SAM.gov for Everett-pier work.
• Rep. Larsen’s HASC Seapower Subcommittee markups: As ranking member, Larsen’s committee language on FF(X) homeport directives is public and frequently explicit about candidate bases.

Housing and Schools in the Meantime

Everett’s housing market in April 2026 shows a median home price near $577,000, a Snohomish County median closer to $730,000, and three distinct price-band submarkets that behave very differently. For Navy families using VA loans or looking at Basic Allowance for Housing trade-offs, the under-$750K band in Everett proper is still the most accessible entry point on the commute radius.

School choice remains centered on Mukilteo School District (for families living on or near base), Everett Public Schools (for Rucker Hill, Bayside, and downtown-adjacent neighborhoods), and Marysville School District for families north of the base. The Mukilteo district’s Navy-family concentration is reflected in extensive on-base liaison programming at Fleet and Family Support Center Everett.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the ships currently at Naval Station Everett going away?

No. The three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (including USS Gridley) and supporting ships currently homeported at NAVSTA Everett are stable for the rest of the decade. The Constellation cancellation and FF(X) announcement affect only the planned addition of new frigate hulls, not the existing fleet.

Will my PCS to Everett in 2026 or 2027 be affected by the FF(X) decision?

No. The FF(X) class has not been built yet. First hull launches in 2028, first operational arrival at a homeport is targeted for the early 2030s. Any PCS to Everett in the next several years lands you at a base with today’s footprint.

If Everett wins the FF(X) assignment, how many more Navy families would move to the area?

A twelve-ship FF(X) class at approximately 140 sailors per hull would bring roughly 1,700 additional active-duty personnel to Naval Station Everett over the arrival period, plus dependents. That’s smaller than the 2,900 personnel the Constellation class would have delivered, which means housing and school impact would also be meaningfully smaller.

When will we know if NAVSTA Everett is getting the FF(X) homeport?

The Navy typically announces homeports 12–18 months before lead-hull launch. With first FF(X) launch targeted for 2028, homeport announcements are expected in the 2026–2027 window. FY2027 Navy budget documents released in early 2026 may include early signals.

Who can help me navigate what all this means for my family’s planning?

Fleet and Family Support Center Everett is the primary on-base resource for PCS planning, spouse employment, childcare, and school liaison. For ombudsman contact through your sailor’s command, check the CNIC NAVSTA Everett page. For VA claims help post-separation, Snohomish County Veterans Assistance at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue and the Everett Vet Center remain the key access points — see our NAVSTA Everett VA claims help guide for the current landscape.

Should I buy a house in Everett or wait to see what happens with FF(X)?

For a decision horizon shorter than five years, FF(X) should not drive your housing choice — first arrivals are early-2030s at earliest, and the class’s smaller per-hull crew means the housing-market effect will be gradual rather than a step-change. Base your decision on current Everett market conditions, your BAH, and your family’s fit with Mukilteo vs. Everett vs. Marysville school districts.

Related Exploring Everett Coverage for Navy Families

• PCS to NAVSTA Everett: A 2026 Housing Guide for Navy Families
• The 2026 NAVSTA Everett Guide to VA Claims Help After the Vet Center Change
• USS Gridley’s Southern Seas 2026 Deployment: The Complete Guide for Naval Station Everett Families

Is Naval Station Everett still getting new frigates? Not yet. The twelve Constellation-class frigates originally assigned to Everett are gone — Secretary of the Navy John Phelan cancelled the program on November 25, 2025. On December 19, 2025, the Navy announced a replacement class called FF(X) based on Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Legend-class National Security Cutter, with the lead ship to be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi and launched in 2028. The Navy has not announced homeports for the FF(X). Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Everett) and Snohomish County officials are actively lobbying Navy leadership to assign the new class to Everett on the same Pacific-access grounds that won the Constellation assignment in 2021.

Why Everett’s Frigate Future Matters Right Now

Naval Station Everett is home to roughly 6,000 active-duty sailors and civilians across five ships and supporting commands. Economic Alliance Snohomish County has consistently pegged the base’s annual economic impact at approximately $340 million. For four years, that number was supposed to climb. Twelve Constellation-class guided-missile frigates were scheduled to arrive in Everett between 2026 and 2028, bringing an estimated 2,900 additional personnel, new pier work, and a generational reset for the base.

Then the Constellation program collapsed. Cost overruns, schedule slips, and a design that had diverged too far from its FREMM parent hull led the Navy to pull the plug in late November 2025. By December 19, Secretary Phelan and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle had announced the replacement: a new class called FF(X), based on a design the Coast Guard has been operating successfully for nearly two decades.

What the FF(X) Actually Is

The FF(X) is a roughly 4,000-ton surface combatant based on HII’s Legend-class National Security Cutter — the 418-foot platform the Coast Guard uses for its largest cutters. The Navy’s version will keep the proven hull and propulsion but add combat systems sized for a frigate mission: likely a vertical launch system, upgraded radar, and a raised platform over the open boat deck for containerized mission packages. Crew size is planned at about 140 sailors, substantially smaller than the 200-plus Constellation-class complement.

The first FF(X) will be built at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding yard in Pascagoula, Mississippi — the same yard that builds the Legend-class cutters. Additional builders will be added through competition, which matters because the Navy wants production rates higher than any single yard can sustain. The first ship is expected to be launched in 2028. Homeports have not been announced.

Everett’s Case — And Why It’s Still Strong

Naval Station Everett won the original Constellation-class homeport assignment in 2021 for reasons that have not changed: deepwater access, direct Pacific egress without an Intracoastal run, existing family-housing inventory at Navy Region Northwest, and the backbone of support commands already stood up in Puget Sound. The pier infrastructure improvements that were planned for the Constellation arrival — shore power upgrades, expanded dry-dock access at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and berthing capacity at Everett’s own piers — are still needed for any frigate class the Pacific Fleet wants to forward-deploy.

Rep. Rick Larsen, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee and the congressman representing Everett, has been explicit about his ask: homeport the FF(X) class at Naval Station Everett. The argument is infrastructure readiness plus strategic geography. If the Navy wants FF(X) hulls operating in the Western Pacific quickly, Everett is the least friction-heavy option on the West Coast. San Diego is already saturated. Pearl Harbor is stretched. Everett has pier room, housing headroom, and a workforce already trained on frigate-adjacent platforms.

What Changed Between Constellation and FF(X)

Three things shifted that matter for Everett:

• Smaller crews. Constellation-class was designed for 200-plus sailors per ship. FF(X) is currently planned for about 140. If the same twelve-ship end strength is preserved, that reduces the Everett population bump from roughly 2,900 to closer to 2,000 personnel and dependents — still a meaningful number for Everett housing and schools, but materially smaller.
• Later first delivery. Constellation’s first hull was supposed to arrive at Everett in 2026. FF(X) first launch is targeted for 2028, with first operational deployment and homeport assignment several years beyond that. Everett’s frigate economic bump, if won, is a late-2020s story, not an immediate one.
• A different builder geography. Constellation was a Marinette, Wisconsin hull. FF(X) is Pascagoula. For Snohomish County’s aerospace-adjacent defense suppliers, that shifts some of the maintenance and sustainment opportunity structure — the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard work for mid-life availabilities becomes more important than builder-yard proximity.

The Snohomish County $340M Economic Argument

Economic Alliance Snohomish County’s public messaging during the Constellation cancellation campaign centered on a consistent figure: Naval Station Everett generates approximately $340 million in annual regional economic activity. That includes direct payroll, base contracting, and the multiplier effect on housing, retail, schools, and medical services in north Snohomish County. A frigate homeport assignment would grow that number. Losing the assignment permanently — with no FF(X) replacement — would cap it at current levels and risk future base-realignment vulnerability.

That economic case is the throughline of the current lobbying push. Sen. Maria Cantwell, Sen. Patty Murray, Rep. Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers have all been publicly aligned on Everett’s candidacy for the FF(X) homeport.

The Timeline — What to Watch

• 2026: FF(X) detailed design work at Ingalls; Navy budget documents may begin naming candidate homeports.
• 2027: Construction of lead hull begins. Pier-infrastructure RFPs at potential homeports start clarifying which bases are being seriously considered.
• 2028: Lead FF(X) launched at Pascagoula. Homeport announcements typically precede launch by 12–18 months, so the homeport decision window for the first hull is roughly 2026–2027.
• Early 2030s: First operational deployment and arrival at homeport.

What Everett Loses If It Doesn’t Win FF(X)

The existing five-ship footprint at NAVSTA Everett — three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, USS Gridley and her sister destroyers and support ships — is stable for the rest of the decade. Nothing in the FF(X) decision threatens the base’s current assignments. What’s at stake is the growth story: additional hulls, additional sailors, the pier improvements that were already scoped for Constellation, and the political durability that comes from being a growing homeport rather than a static one.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Navy cancel the Constellation-class frigates Everett was supposed to receive?

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan announced the cancellation of the Constellation-class program on November 25, 2025. The twelve ships originally planned for Naval Station Everett will not be built.

What is the FF(X) frigate?

The FF(X) is the Navy’s replacement frigate class, announced December 19, 2025. It is based on Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Legend-class National Security Cutter — the same 418-foot, 4,000-ton design the U.S. Coast Guard operates. The first ship is to be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi and launched in 2028.

Will Naval Station Everett get the FF(X) frigates?

The Navy has not announced homeports for the FF(X) class. Rep. Rick Larsen, Sen. Maria Cantwell, Sen. Patty Murray, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers are publicly lobbying for Naval Station Everett to receive the assignment, citing the same Pacific-access and infrastructure arguments that won Everett the Constellation homeport in 2021.

How many sailors would FF(X) bring to Everett if the base is selected?

If the Navy holds to a twelve-ship assignment and a crew size of roughly 140 per hull, the FF(X) fleet would bring approximately 1,700–2,000 sailors plus dependents to Naval Station Everett — smaller than the 2,900 personnel the Constellation program would have delivered, but still a material increase over today’s footprint.

When could the first FF(X) frigate arrive at Naval Station Everett?

Based on the December 2025 Navy timeline, the first FF(X) hull is targeted for launch in 2028. Homeport assignment typically occurs 12–18 months before launch, and first operational arrival at a homeport happens 1–2 years after commissioning. Realistically, the earliest an FF(X) would arrive at Naval Station Everett — assuming Everett wins the assignment — is the early 2030s.

What is Naval Station Everett’s current economic impact on Snohomish County?

Economic Alliance Snohomish County estimates Naval Station Everett generates approximately $340 million in annual regional economic activity, supporting roughly 6,000 active-duty sailors and civilians and their dependents across the north Snohomish County economy.

Which Navy ships are currently homeported at Naval Station Everett?

Naval Station Everett currently homeports three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, including USS Gridley, plus supporting ships and commands. The five-ship current footprint is stable for the rest of the decade and is not affected by the FF(X) homeport decision.

Who is lobbying for Naval Station Everett to get the FF(X) homeport assignment?

The public Everett coalition includes Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Everett), ranking member of the House Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee; Sen. Maria Cantwell; Sen. Patty Murray; Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers; and Economic Alliance Snohomish County. The lobbying focuses on Pacific-access geography, existing pier and housing infrastructure, and the readiness of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for maintenance availabilities.

Related Exploring Everett Coverage

• What the Navy’s New FF(X) Frigate Means for Naval Station Everett — the source briefing for this guide
• NAVSTA Everett After the Frigate Cancellation: A Complete Guide
• USS Gridley’s Southern Seas 2026 Deployment: The Complete Guide for Naval Station Everett Families
• Getting VA Claims Help in Snohomish County in 2026

Q: When does the Jetty Island ferry open in 2026?
A: The Jetty Island passenger ferry runs July 8 through September 6, 2026, Wednesday through Sunday. Reservations are required and cost $4 per person Wed-Thu and $7 Fri-Sun. Children 2 and under ride free. The ferry departs from Jetty Landing at 10th Street and W. Marine View Drive in Everett.

Jetty Island Ferry Returns July 8: Your Complete 2026 Guide to Everett’s Best Free Beach

Mark July 8 on the calendar. That’s the day the Jetty Island ferry season officially starts in 2026, and that’s the day Everett’s two-mile-long sandy island park becomes accessible again to anyone who can get to the marina. The ferry runs through September 6 — exactly two months of the only beach in Western Washington that actually feels like a beach.

If you’ve never made the trip, here’s the short version: Jetty Island is a man-made, two-mile-long sandbar just off the Port of Everett, separated from the mainland by a narrow channel. There’s warm water on the inner shoreline (the channel side warms up in the summer sun), wind for kiteboarders on the outer shoreline, miles of walking, and almost no infrastructure. Bring what you need, take what you brought. That’s the deal.

The 2026 Ferry Schedule

The passenger ferry runs Wednesday through Sunday from July 8 through September 6, 2026. Operating hours by day:

• Wednesday and Thursday: 10 AM to 5:45 PM
• Friday and Saturday: 10 AM to 6:45 PM
• Sunday: 10 AM to 5:45 PM
• Monday and Tuesday: No ferry service

The ferry departs from Jetty Landing, which is right next to the boat launch at the corner of 10th Street and W. Marine View Drive in Everett. There’s parking near the launch, but on a hot weekend in August it fills up fast. Get there early or be prepared to walk a few blocks.

Reservations Are Required (Yes, Even on Weekdays)

This is the part that trips up first-timers. You cannot just show up. All ferry rides require advance reservations through the Port of Everett’s reservation system. Walk-up tickets are not sold at the dock.

Pricing for 2026:

• Wednesday-Thursday: $4 per person
• Friday-Sunday: $7 per person
• Children 2 and under: Free

Applicable taxes and a small booking fee apply at checkout. Reservations open up at portofeverett.com — and for prime weekend slots in July and August, they go fast. If you know you want to be there a particular weekend, book it the moment the schedule goes live.

What You Need to Know Before You Go

Jetty Island is intentionally left rustic. There are no concessions. There is no drinking water. There are vault toilets and that’s it. Pack:

• Water — more than you think you need. Two miles of beach in August sun without shade is a long day.
• Sunscreen and a hat — there is genuinely zero shade on most of the island.
• Snacks/lunch — and a trash bag. Pack out what you pack in.
• Wind layer — even on hot days the outer beach gets a steady afternoon wind off the Sound.
• Beach toys, a kite, or a paddleboard — the channel side is calm and warm enough for all-day water play.

Pets are allowed, but they need to stay on leash. There’s no lifeguard service. Watch the tide schedule — at extreme low tides the channel between the mainland and the island gets shallow enough to expose long stretches of mudflat, which is fascinating to look at and miserable to walk through.

Why the Ferry Closes Early on Hot Days

This is the one operational quirk to plan around. When the island reaches maximum capacity — which happens on hot weekends in late July and August — the ferry can stop running new round-trips early. The return ferries still operate to bring everyone back, but if you show up at 2 PM on a 90-degree Saturday and the ferry is paused, your reservation may not get you across. Earlier is better.

Inclement weather can also cancel ferry service. The Port posts updates on the day-of through their site and social channels.

The Things People Don’t Realize About Jetty Island

The water is actually warm. The channel side, sheltered from the Sound, gets shallow and sun-heated through the day. Kids can wade for hours. It’s the warmest swimming water you’ll find anywhere in Snohomish County.

It’s a kiteboarding hotspot. The outer shoreline catches a consistent westerly afternoon wind in summer, and the local kiteboarding community treats Jetty as one of the best spots in the region. If you’ve ever wanted to watch the sport up close, head to the south end of the island in the late afternoon.

The bird life is wild. Jetty is on the Pacific Flyway and is a Snohomish County designated wildlife area. Bald eagles, herons, oystercatchers — bring binoculars if you’re into that.

You can paddle there. If the ferry is full or you’ve got your own kayak or paddleboard, the channel from the marina is short, calm, and well within reach for a casual paddler. Bring a leash for your board and a PFD.

Getting to Jetty Landing

Jetty Landing is at 1700 W. Marine View Drive, right next to the Port of Everett’s 10th Street boat launch. From I-5, take exit 193 (Pacific Avenue) and head west until Marine View Drive, then turn north. The boat launch parking lot is signed.

Everett Transit’s Route 7 stops within about a half-mile walk if you’d rather not deal with parking. On weekends the bike racks at Jetty Landing fill up too, which tells you something about who knows what they’re doing.

What to Do After the Beach

Coming back from a Jetty day around 5 or 6 PM puts you right at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place — which has the best dinner options in the area and is about a five-minute walk from where you’ll dock. Tapped Public House, Rustic Cork, and the new Sound to Summit taproom on the south side of the marina are all right there. The Net Shed Fish Market & Kitchen is another great option for a casual dinner with a view.

Make a day of it: ferry over for a morning swim, beach lunch, kite-watching afternoon, then dinner on the waterfront when you get back. That’s an Everett summer Saturday done right.

The Big Picture: Jetty Days 2026

The Port of Everett’s Jetty Island Days programming runs alongside the ferry season July 8 – September 6, with naturalists, environmental education programs, and family activities scheduled throughout. The full programming calendar typically goes live in mid-June. Watch portofeverett.com for the schedule.

This is a free island park (the only cost is the ferry ride). It is a genuinely unusual asset for a city the size of Everett. And once you’ve been once, you’ll find a reason to go back every summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Jetty Island ferry open in 2026?
July 8, 2026.

When does the ferry season end?
September 6, 2026.

How much is the ferry?
$4 per person Wednesday-Thursday, $7 per person Friday-Sunday. Children 2 and under ride free.

Where do I make ferry reservations?
Through portofeverett.com. Reservations are required — there are no walk-up tickets.

Where does the ferry leave from?
Jetty Landing at 10th Street and W. Marine View Drive in Everett, next to the Port of Everett boat launch.

What days does the ferry run?
Wednesday through Sunday. No ferry service Monday or Tuesday.

Can I bring my dog to Jetty Island?
Yes, dogs are allowed but must be on leash.

Is there food on Jetty Island?
No — bring your own food, water, and pack out all trash.

Can I kayak or paddleboard to Jetty Island?
Yes. The channel from the marina is short and calm in good weather. Wear a PFD and use a board leash.

Are there bathrooms on the island?
Yes, vault toilets only. No running water.

Can the ferry be canceled?
Yes, the ferry may close due to weather or when the island reaches maximum capacity on busy days. Check portofeverett.com for day-of updates.

Q: Is Bryce Miller pitching for the AquaSox?
A: Yes — Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller is scheduled to make a rehab start for the Everett AquaSox on Friday, April 24, 2026 at 7:05 PM PT at Funko Field. He’s working back from a spring training oblique injury and his fastball has already touched 98 mph during his Tacoma Rainiers rehab outing on April 18.

Bryce Miller Is Pitching at Funko Field Friday Night — And the AquaSox Are Quietly Putting Together a Pretty Good Homestand

Two pieces of good news from down at Everett Memorial Stadium this week, and they line up perfectly. The AquaSox just took the series opener from the Spokane Indians 5-2 on Tuesday night behind a vintage Taylor Dollard pitching line. And on Friday night, the headliner: Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller is starting his rehab assignment for Everett, with first pitch at 7:05 PM at Funko Field.

If you’ve been on the fence about which game in this six-game homestand to grab tickets for, the schedule just answered the question for you.

Bryce Miller’s Rehab Start: What to Know

Mariners EVP Justin Hollander confirmed Miller’s Friday rehab assignment with the AquaSox earlier this week. The 27-year-old right-hander is working his way back from an oblique injury sustained in spring training. He made his first rehab outing on Saturday, April 18 with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers — 1.2 innings, two strikeouts, one walk, three runs on four hits, but more importantly, his fastball touched over 98 mph. The arm is fine. The body just needs reps.

Friday night is his second rehab outing, this time at the High-A level. The reason for moving him down to Everett rather than keeping him in Tacoma: the AquaSox affiliate gives him a chance to get reacclimated to PNW pitching conditions before bumping him back up. His rehab assignment will continue to fluctuate between the Rainiers and AquaSox until he’s ready for a Mariners rotation slot.

For Everett fans, this is the rare night where you can watch a current major-league starter on the mound at Funko Field. Miller has been with Seattle since 2023, holds a career 24-21 record with a 4.01 ERA, and his best season came in 2024 when he went 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA across 31 starts. He also pitched for Everett in 2022 — 3-3 record, 3.24 ERA across 15 starts — so this is a homecoming of sorts.

Tickets for Friday night are available through AquaSox.com, the MiLB app, or by calling the AquaSox Front Office at 425-258-3673. Expect a crowd.

The Series Opener: Taylor Dollard Was Filthy

Tuesday night the AquaSox got the kind of starting pitching performance they’ve been waiting on all season. Right-hander Taylor Dollard — who’d been working through some early-season struggles — fired five shutout innings, allowed just two hits, struck out seven, and walked one. It was his best start of 2026 and the kind of outing that resets a season.

“He definitely set the tone with really good momentum throughout that game,” manager Ryan Scott said after the win.

Dollard himself was characteristically measured: “The process is right, and we’re kind of getting there. Baby steps.”

The bullpen kept the shutout intact. Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman threw one hitless inning with two strikeouts. Christian Little added two scoreless frames and three more strikeouts. Closer Brock Moore allowed a two-run homer to Spokane’s Jacob Humphrey in the ninth but locked down the save.

The Offense Is Finally Showing Up Late

The AquaSox played five scoreless innings on Tuesday before catcher Josh Caron pushed across the first run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth. Then they exploded for four in the eighth — sparked by walks, RBI hits from Luke Stevenson and Axel Sanchez, a Curtis Washington Jr. sacrifice bunt, and a Luis Suisbel sac fly.

And here’s the trend worth tracking: the AquaSox have now scored 16 runs in the eighth inning over their last six games. Whatever they’re doing in the dugout between innings six and eight is working. They’re 8-8 on the season and heating up at the right time.

The Rest of the Homestand

The Spokane series runs through Sunday. Here’s what’s left:

• Wednesday, April 22: Game 2 vs Spokane, 7:05 PM PT — Student Discount Night, GESA Credit Union Military Pride Offer, Tulalip Bingo & Slots Baseball Bingo
• Thursday, April 23: Game 3 vs Spokane, 7:05 PM PT
• Friday, April 24: Game 4 vs Spokane, 7:05 PM PT — Bryce Miller rehab start, Fireworks Night
• Saturday, April 25: Game 5 vs Spokane, 7:05 PM PT
• Sunday, April 26: Game 6 vs Spokane, 1:05 PM PT

Friday is the headliner, but Saturday’s a 7:05 PM PT start with the weekend energy at Funko Field, and Sunday’s afternoon game closes the series — a good fit for families who don’t want to be out late on a school night.

Spokane Has Been Tougher Than Their Record Looks

The Indians come into this series at 6-10 but they’ve been competitive game-by-game. Their April 5 walk-off 10-9 win over Everett earlier this season was one of the wilder games of the High-A West season so far. Tuesday’s Jacob Humphrey ninth-inning homer kept the comeback flame alive even in defeat. The High-A West has been chaotic top to bottom this April, and any series with Spokane has the potential to swing on a single inning.

Prospect Watch on the Roster

The four Mariners prospects to keep your eye on this homestand:

• Luke Stevenson — Catcher, opening to do real damage. Had the RBI double in the eighth inning Tuesday.
• Felnin Celesten — The shortstop the Mariners signed for $4.7 million in 2023. Premium tools, still finding his rhythm at High-A.
• Lazaro Montes — Big-bodied corner outfielder with massive raw power. The kind of prospect Funko Field crowds notice immediately.
• Colton Shaw — Right-hander who already had a standout 6IP/7K/0BB performance in the home opening series two weeks ago.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is Bryce Miller pitching for the AquaSox?
First pitch is 7:05 PM PT on Friday, April 24 at Funko Field (Everett Memorial Stadium).

How long will Miller pitch?
Rehab outings typically build pitch count gradually — expect Miller in the 50-65 pitch range Friday based on his Tacoma outing length and his place in the rehab schedule.

Who won the AquaSox-Spokane series opener?
Everett won 5-2 on Tuesday, April 21. Taylor Dollard threw five shutout innings with seven strikeouts.

What was Taylor Dollard’s pitching line?
5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K. His best start of 2026.

Where are tickets for the AquaSox?
AquaSox.com, the MiLB app, or call the AquaSox Front Office at 425-258-3673.

What’s the AquaSox record this season?
8-8 after Tuesday’s win.

Are there fireworks Friday night?
Yes — Friday, April 24 is fireworks night at Funko Field.

Who else is on the AquaSox roster worth watching?
Luke Stevenson (C), Felnin Celesten (SS), Lazaro Montes (OF), and Colton Shaw (RHP) are the headline Mariners prospects on the current roster.

What is Bryce Miller coming back from?
An oblique injury sustained during 2026 spring training.

How fast is Miller throwing?
His fastball touched 98+ mph in his April 18 Tacoma rehab outing.