Peruvian Marines Visit USS New Orleans

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Brien Aho | Senior Peruvian officers walk through rainbow sideboys after touring the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans during Southern Partnership Station 2010. New Orleans is participating in Southern Partnership Station, an annual deployment of U.S. military training teams to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.  

PERU

07.13.2010

Story by Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert Winkler 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South

USS NEW ORLEANS, At Sea - Officers from Peru's Infanteria de Marina, a branch of their navy similar to the U.S. Marine Corps, arrived via helicopter on board USS New Orleans July 9, as part of Amphibious Southern Partnership Station 2010.

Amphibious SPS 10 is the amphibious portion of SPS, which is a deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The mission's primary goal is mission-focused information sharing with navies, coast guards and civilian services throughout the region in order to enhance regional maritime capabilities and security.

Peru Infanteria de Marina Col. Gerardo Gervasi, Lt. Col. Herman Ovarce, Lt. Col. Renzo Corvetto and Sgt. Maj. Ricardo Japay were welcomed aboard by Commodore, Amphibious Squadron 5 Capt. Peter Brennan and USS New Orleans Commanding Officer Cmdr. Jeff Oakey on the flight deck before beginning a tour of the ship.

The tour began in the ship's well deck, where they were briefed on basic functions and capabilities via translators.

"I really enjoy the opportunity to show off the New Orleans' capabilities," said Oakey. "This is one of the most modern and technically advanced ships in the world, and having the opportunity to show our partner nation peers what it can do is a great way to open up a dialogue and build relationships. These are savvy mariners and had a lot of great comments and questions throughout their time aboard. I think the tour and discussions gave everyone involved a better appreciation for each other."

The group made its way through the ship touring facilities including the medical department, troop berthing spaces, a damage control locker, troop command and control spaces and eventually making its way up to the bridge.

The four Peruvians were given ball caps and command coins as mementos of the visit, and photos were taken on the bridge wing.

"This is the second time I've been aboard an American Naval vessel," said Corvetto. "The first time was 2001, with Operation Unitas. This time the ship is a lot more modern and much larger than what I am accustomed to in my country. Coming to a new ship and seeing it gives me a much better appreciation of its capabilities. I found it interesting to see how the equipment is set up for amphibious operations and where the helicopters are kept and maintained. These visits always help to further unite American and Peruvian Marines and Sailors. This helps to further build on the good relationship that we already have."

New Orleans is currently participating in both Partnership of the Americas 2010 and Southern Exchange 2010 in Salinas and Ancon, Peru in support of Amphibious SPS 10. The ship is the platform for Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 24, to conduct amphibious operations with partner nations.

Service members from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay are deployed on board USS New Orleans in order to further enhance interaction between partner nations in the region.

USS New Orleans, along with PHIBRON 5 and other embarked units are scheduled to visit Callao, Peru; Bahia Malaga, Colombia; and Balboa, Panama; during the three-month deployment.

• Date Taken: 07.13.2010
• Date Posted: 07.13.2010 21:09
• Story ID: 52786
• Location: PE