US and Italian midshipmen visit Naples

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Viramontes | Lt. Joseph Spence, center, briefs midshipmen from Italy and the U.S., during a tour of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet headquarters. The midshipmen have been traveling throughout Italy since June 27, visiting cities, learning about the local culture and visiting military installations, as part of an overseas educational program. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Viramontes)  

NAPLES, ITALY

07.12.2012

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Viramontes
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy – Four U.S. and two Italian midshipmen explored different aspects of maritime security in the Mediterranean, while in Naples, Italy, July 11.

During their visit, the midshipmen visited NATO's Allied Maritime Component Command, on the island of Nisida, and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet headquarters in Naples.

“The overall idea of this trip was to show the midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy a different culture abroad and study a theme,” said Italian Cmdr. Mauro Panarello, Italian exchange officer to the U.S. Naval Academy. “We also discussed the importance of the Mediterranean region and provided a cultural experience by visiting some of the important cities in Italy.”

The educational program also serves to familiarize the midshipmen with NATO’s diverse partnership and how different nations work together in current operations throughout the Mediterranean.

“We learned about different conflicts and all the concerns that we never knew about this region,” said Midshipman 1st Class Kelsey Owen. “Interacting with our Italian counterparts has brought knowledge of the Italian navy and culture. Traveling with them from the Italian naval academy in Livorno to southern Italy has really given us a wealth of knowledge.”

The midshipmen have been traveling throughout Italy since June 27, visiting cities, learning about the local culture and visiting military installations, as part of an overseas educational program.

• Date Taken: 07.12.2012
• Date Posted: 07.12.2012 08:31
• Story ID: 91417
• Location: NAPLES, IT