US Navy,
SEATTLE: Navy Region Northwest said farewell to the captain and crew of the Peruvian Navy transport ship BAP Mollendo (ATC 131) April 6, following a port visit in Seattle.
Mollendo, commanded by Capitan de Fragata, Gonzolo Carrera Mazuelos, and its 134 enlisted Sailors and 28 officers were in Seattle for a four-day port visit.
During their visit, the crew toured the USS Ford (FFG 54) homeported at Naval Station Everett and visited Boeing airfields, as well as Microsoft headquarters in Redmond.
The crew also toured famous Seattle sites, such as the Space Needle, the Seattle Aquarium, and Pike's Place Market.
“My junior officers took them on a tour and they enjoyed it a lot,” said Cmdr. John Wilshusen, Ford commanding officer. “I spent the last two years in my previous job working with South American navies. I can see we all face similar situations.”
With more trade and commerce between the countries, most of it goes by ocean. So, we all have a common interest in protecting those sea-lanes, and opportunities like this help build those ties,” Wilshusen added.
During their stay, the Peruvians also hosted tours of Mollendo, which houses a museum displaying some of Peru's industrial products and cultural artifacts.
“This training cruise lasts 180 days,” said the Peruvian skipper. “We've already visited ports in French Polynesia, Hong Kong and Shanghai, the People's Republic of China, The People's Republic of Korea, Vladivostok in the Russian federation, Tokyo, Japan, and Hawaii, and now we are in the beautiful city of Seattle.”
Mazuelos added that fourth and second year midshipmen from the Peruvian Naval Academy were also on board Mollendo.
“They are increasing their knowledge about other cultures and training on board,” he said. “This institution will help our midshipmen think about their reasons for becoming Navy officers in the near future.”
Rear Adm. Stewart O'Bryan, commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, who was on board Mollendo April 4 for a Peruvian buffet style banquet and a performance by traditional Peruvian Marinera dancers and a salsa band, stressed the importance of maintaining friendly ties between the two navies.
“It's very important for Peru and the United States that our navies work together as we both fight terrorism,” said O'Bryan.
Mollendo, which left Seattle's Elliot Bay April 6, will make one final stop in San Diego before returning to its homeport in Lima, Peru.
