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November 12, 2026 | Story by Naomi Wilkins | Commander, Navy Installations Command | Fleet and Family Readiness (N9)

WASHINGTON - More than 16,000 Sailors, families and guests came together for an evening of music, appreciation and relaxation during an Operation MWR concert hosted by Navy Entertainment and featuring Gwen Stefani and Pitbull at Naval Base San Diego (NBSD). Despite the rainy weather, many of the attendees began lining up hours before the gates opened.

DJ Screw opened the concert at 4:30 p.m., followed by Stefani at 5:45 p.m. and Pitbull at 7:15 p.m. Throughout the evening, the crowd sang and danced along to hits including Gwen Stefani’s “The Sweet Escape” and Pitbull’s “Don’t Stop the Party.” Many attendees even dressed the part, wearing baldie caps, dark sunglasses and suits in playful tribute to Pitbull’s "Mr. Worldwide" persona.

“To all our service members who do so much for our country, we hope you get a little break tonight and feel celebrated and loved and just have a blast! We love you,” said Stefani.

Pitbull also recognized the sacrifices made by Sailors. “To all the Sailors around the world, I just want to say freedom is not free. Due to you all around the world protecting us, we enjoy the freedom in the United States of America. Thank you for all you do,” he said.

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Beyond the performances, attendees enjoyed a variety of food and activities. NBSD Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) food and beverage operations supported the event alongside more than 20 food trucks. Navy Exchange (NEX) merchandise tents and concert partners provided swag, while MWR and Virtual Single Sailor Program (VSSP) information booths shared resources with attendees, including information on free and subsidized Wi-Fi available in Navy unaccompanied housing for returning Sailors.

The concert held a special significance for Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, which returned to NBSD just two days before the event following a nearly 11-month deployment. The concert provided an opportunity for returning Sailors, their families and the broader Navy community to reconnect and enjoy an evening together.

Navy Chief Willmar Cedeno, a Sailor aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, shared what the concert meant to the returning crew. “Coming home from deployment to an event of this caliber made every Sailor from the USS Abraham Lincoln feel truly appreciated. Hearing personal shoutouts on stage from Gwen and Pitbull meant the world to us. A huge thank-you goes out to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to deliver an unforgettable night for our crew and our families.”

Despite challenging weather conditions, NBSD Installation Teams and MWR personnel and event staff adapted to keep the concert running smoothly. Their efforts did not go unnoticed, with one attendee thanking “the traffic controllers who braved the rain."

For military veteran Jovan Scott, the high-energy camaraderie and community atmosphere stood out most. “You couldn't beat the energy out there. To get a top-tier show like this completely free for our military community was incredible. Seeing families together having fun, kids smiling, and fans walking around in full Pitbull costumes brought pure joy to the base. The headliners were so down-to-earth and put on an electric show from start to finish.”

Social media buzz was equally enthusiastic, with users praising the event and commenting, “this free concert was better than one costing $300 per ticket!” 

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The concert was part of Operation MWR, a Navy-wide initiative bringing free live entertainment to installations around the world. Through events like these, Navy MWR provides opportunities for service members and their families to recharge, strengthen connections and enjoy time together, supporting Quality of Service, morale and resilience across the Navy community.

Navy MWR’s mission is to deliver high-quality, customer-focused programs and services that contribute to resiliency, retention, readiness and quality of life. Navy Entertainment tours make a positive impact on the morale of our troops. The program provides quality, live entertainment for Sailors stationed overseas and on deployed ships at sea. For more information about the program, visit NavyMWR.org/Entertainment.

Thank you to Operation MWR 2026’s presenting sponsor USAA and supporting sponsor GOVX.

No Navy endorsement implied.

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This is an Official U.S. Navy Website Commander, Navy Installations Command.

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