Fleet Week Houston bringing home a number of Navy and Marine service members

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Have you ever wanted to see how the Navy and Marines do their jobs? You can this week because Fleet Week Houston is here!

HOUSTON FLEET WEEK GUIDE: Parade of ships, special tours, and free concerts: What to expect for Houston Fleet Week

Close to 1,500 Navy and Marine servicemen are in town with three Navy Assault ships docked, two at the Houston Port and one, the USS Kearsarge, in Seabrook.

It takes about 1,000 Navy and Marine personnel to operate the Amphibious Assault Ship. The ship is a three-story war machine. The first floor has an amphibious deck that can be partially flooded so Marine vessels can exit the back.

The second deck is where the hangar maintenance is done, and where the planes are kept out of bad weather.

The third is the flight deck where the planes and helicopters take off.

Many of the sailors and Marines are headed to the Astros game. Others like Sugarland's Payton Sanchez, Navy Quartermaster 1st class, are headed home.

"Being back home, man, I missed it," Sanchez said. "I got goosebumps coming back and raising that flag, it's amazing."

Houston's Anthony Dela Espada can't wait to get to his mom's house for a home-cooked meal.

"I love being back, everything is different, the air, the food. I'm glad to be back home. I'm feeling good," Espada said.

Sanchez, a 10-year Navy member, let his military family know what to expect.

"I talk up Houston a lot. I tell them there are endless things to do in Houston." Sanvhez said. "If you're not an Astros fan, you will be. If you're not a UH fan, you will be. A Rockets fan, you will be. You're going to love Houston."