CEO Corner
Updates from Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams is the President & CEO of the Pacific Battleship Center, home of the Battleship IOWA, LA Fleet Week, and the National Museum of the Surface Navy. A purpose-driven leader and storyteller, he shares updates and insights from one of the nation’s most innovative nonprofit organizations. His writing explores leadership, community, and culture — connecting lessons from the deck plate to the boardroom while highlighting the people, progress, and purpose that continue to drive the mission forward.
Newest Updates
STEM Adventure Summer Camp
Join us for another fun summer with the Battleship IOWA STEM Summer Camp. Scholarships available.
What USS Iowa Means to the 1989 Crew
Reflections from CIO David CanfieldRemembering And Returning As a nineteen-year-old, Battleship IOWA Vice President and Chief Information/Technology Officer David Canfield experienced the worst day in the ship's history. He's given us permission to share a personal blog he wrote in 2011 to describe his perspective of the April 19, 1989 explosion of Turret 2, as well as a second reflection on what it was like to return to the ship years later as a member of the team that saved...
Touring Battleship IOWA During LA Fleet Week
LA Fleet Week at Battleship IOWA Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Battleship IOWA will be open during regular hours – 10:00 AM till 4:00 PM – for tours as usual. Parking near the ship will only be available in the north end of the lot. Please enter via Swinford Avenue near the Vincent Thomas Bridge. You will have to walk a short distance to board the ship. Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21 Same parameters as above – enter via Swinford Ave for parking near the ship. Be advised that load-in...
Rock for Responders 2025
The EventWhat is Rock for Responders? Rock for Responders is a powerful live concert event hosted by the National Museum of the Surface Navy at the Battleship IOWA, created to honor the unwavering dedication of first responders and veterans. More than just a concert, it’s a tribute to service, sacrifice, and resilience—a moment to come together as a community and show our collective gratitude. Many of our emergency and military professionals face invisible battles, including the lasting...
National Museum of the Surface Navy Announces 2025 Freedom of the Seas Award Recipients
National Museum of the Surface Navy announces its 2025 Freedom of the Seas award recipients
Preserving the Watch: Purpose, Connection, and the Future of the Surface Navy Legacy
Preserving the Watch: Purpose, Connection, and the Future of the Surface Navy Legacy By Jonathan Williams, President & CEO, National Museum of the Surface Navy In an era where headlines often divide us, we believe that shared purpose and human connection are what make America strong. For 250 years, the Surface Navy has stood as a quiet guardian of both. At the National Museum of the Surface Navy, we’re building more than a museum. We’re creating a national institution - anchored aboard the...
Remembering IOWA’s Arrival 13 Years Later
VP & CHENG Mike Getscher recalls his experience with IOWA’s arrival to the Port of LA
From Warship To Community Anchor
CEO Jonathan Williams talks Battleship IOWA’s journey from warship to community anchor
Halfway There
Deck project, an award, and more – here’s this week’s update
Building the National Museum of the Surface Navy: Honoring Surface Warriors in Phase 1
The National Museum of the Surface Navy at the Battleship IOWA is well underway, and as we approach Phase 1 completion in late 2025, we are excited to highlight two key initiatives that directly honor the experiences, achievements, and legacy of Surface Warriors—past, present, and future.
Limited time only!
Kids Board Free
In the all-new Life of a Sailor experience, kids become sailor recruits, building their skills, following the story of a famous sailor, and joining Vicky the Dog on a scavenger hunt through Battleship IOWA.
Kids board free with a paid adult.