Peruvian Navy Day

By: LT Paolo R. Camogliano, Peruvian Navy

October 8 is a national holiday celebrating not only the anniversary of the creation of our navy in 1821, but also commemorating the Battle of Angamos (1879) in which our greatest naval hero, Admiral Miguel Grau, and the crew of the Ironclad HUASCAR under his command immortalized their names fighting during the War of the Pacific.

When I think of Navy Day, the first thing that comes to my mind is a memory from when I was a small child, probably around 4 years old.  My father took me to Miraflores’ beachfront at night in order to see our fleet at anchor in the bay.  The ships were displaying all their lights, ready for the “pass and review” the next morning.  That is when my love for the Navy started.

In Peru, Navy Day starts early.  All naval personnel in the Lima-Callao area participate in a ceremony and parade over which our president presides.  After the parade, there's a pass and review of the fleet at anchor followed by a cocktail and buffet in which everybody has the chance to meet with fellow shipmates. Similar events are held nationwide and abroad hosted by our Naval Attachés.

Navy Day 2012 will be different for me than in past years; I will be underway sailing in the Caribbean aboard the USS UNDERWOOD.  I will have the privilege to represent my Navy in this fine ship and share with my new naval family this important date.

“¡Viva la Marina de Guerra del Perú!”

LT Camogliano is a foreign exchange officer embarked aboard USS Underwood.

USS Simpson officers embark Underwood

            I am Ensign Andrew Miller. I am embarked on the USS Underwood (FFG 36) with my fellow colleague Ensign Brody Henderson. We are on this ship to receive Surface Warfare Officer training because our permanent command, the USS Simpson (FFG 56) is back in Mayport, Fl. in dry-dock getting repairs done to it. With Simpson being unable to get underway, our commanding officer arranged for us to go to Underwood to get our qualifications.

            The Surface Warfare Officer qualification is a long process involving twelve to eighteen months of different areas of training such as combat information center watch officer, Officer of the Deck underway, and Officer of the Deck in-port. All of this training culminates in an oral board. The goal of all of this is to become designated as a fully qualified Surface Warfare Officer.

            I embarked on the “Wood” on Sept. 15 in Key West and was received with open arms by the officers and enlisted personnel aboard the ship. I would rather be underway focusing on the mission rather than being back in port filling out paperwork. I find it exciting and rewarding to be out at sea and am looking forward for my colleague and I to get pinned as Surface Warfare Officers. It is a big step in our careers and carries with it greater responsibility as officers. It has been a great experience so far and the training has been invaluable.

Very Respectfully,

Ensign Andrew Miller