ANNAPOLIS – Navy has signed an agreement to appear in the 2013 edition of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, held annually in Fort Worth, Texas.

     Owned and operated by ESPN Regional Television, the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl has featured a military theme since 2006. Air Force has appeared in the past two games held at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

      This year’s game, slated for Thursday, Dec. 31, will match teams from Conference USA and the Mountain West Conference.

      “Obviously we are as pleased as can be that Navy, with its great heritage and tradition, has agreed to participate in our 2013 game,” said Tom Starr, executive director of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.  “Having one of our nation’s military academies participate in our game is a natural, and is extremely popular with our fans as the past two years have proven with sellouts featuring the Air Force Academy.”

     Navy has earned six straight bowl berths, appearing in the Houston Bowl (2003), Emerald Bowl (2004), Meineke Car Care Bowl (2004), Poinsettia Bowl (2005, 2007) and EagleBank Bowl (2008). Academy athletic director Chet Gladchuk has already signed an agreement for the Midshipmen to appear in the Texas Bowl in Houston this year.

   Navy, which as an independent has not postseason ties, has already committed to return to the Poinsettia Bowl in 2010 and the EagleBank Bowl in 2011.

    “We have thousands of alumni, enlisted and prior enlisted sailors and marines who reside within the Dallas-Fort Worth community and this opportunity will allow us to bring our highly spirited supporters and football family together in one of the most hospitable communities in the country. We are generally excited and grateful for this invitation,” Gladchuk said.