Army and Navy are used to clashing on the football field — but dodgeball is something else entirely.
Yet, soldiers and seamen, as well as Marines, members of the U.S. Coast Guard and local first responders, spent a couple of hours Saturday, May 28, chucking dodgeballs at each other during one of the multiple inter-branch competitions this weekend’s LA Fleet Week put on.
The dodgeball tournament took place aboard the USS Iowa, in San Pedro, during the second day of LA Fleet Week.
A ball thrown by a Navy player bounces off an Army player in dodgeball action on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Two Navy teams battle each other in a dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the USS Iowa at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Army players wearing black t-shirts and combat boots do battle in a military dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the USS Iowa at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
An Army team plays in a military dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the USS Iowa at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Spectators watch dodgeball action on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Marines watch the action during a dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the USS Iowa at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Marines, wearing green, battle players from the Navy in a military dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the USS Iowa at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Marines, wearing green, battle players from the Navy in a military dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the USS Iowa at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
An Army team wearing black battles a team of Marines in green in a dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the USS Iowa at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Players compete in a military dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the USS Iowa at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A team from the USS Iowa competes in a dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the battleship at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Marines square off in a military dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the USS Iowa at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Marines display the championship trophy after winning a dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the USS Iowa at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Teams get pregame instructions prior to a military dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the USS Iowa at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A team from the USS Iowa is ready to compete in a military dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the battleship at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
An Army team is ready to do battle in a military dodgeball tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2022, near the USS Iowa at LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Fleet Week, which began Friday and ends on Memorial Day, returned this year after going virtual in 2021 and 2022 because of the pandemic. This year also marked the first time Fleet Week has taken place over Memorial Day weekend rather than Labor Day, a change that will become permanent.
The three-round competition to see which team — two Navy squads, plus teams representing the Marines, Army and USS Iowa personnel — would claim the title of LA Fleet Week dodgeball champion aired on FOX Sports.
Marine Teal defeated Army Red two games to one in the finals to take the crown.
Contributing photographer Howard Freshman contributed to this report.
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