Peruvian school welcomes GW sailors during COMREL

Courtesy Photo | 151005-N-ZZ999-042 LIMA, Peru (Oct. 5, 2015) Sailors from Carrier Strike Group 9 (CSG 9) paint a wall during a community relations event at Alimirante Miguel Grau Seminario in Lima, Peru. Washington is deployed as a part of Southern Seas 2015. The eighth deployment of its kind, Southern Seas 2015 seeks to enhance interoperability, increase regional stability, and build and maintain regional relationships with countries throughout the region through joint multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Sania Mendez/Released)  

LIMA, PERU

10.04.2015

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jessica Gomez, USS George Washington Public Affairs

LIMA, Peru – Sailors aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Chafee (DDG 90) participated in a community relations (COMREL) project at Alimirante Miguel Grau Seminario in Lima, Peru, Oct. 4 and 5.

The COMREL project was spearheaded by the ship’s Command Religious Ministries Department (CRMD). It allowed more than 100 Sailors to assist with restoring and painting playground equipment, window frames, chairs and desks around the school.

“We’re giving back to the communities at the ports we pull into,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Manuel Perez. “I’ve done this in many countries because I love to give back.”

The Peruvian navy was also involved in the project, providing technical support to Washington Sailors.

“The other navies and countries see that we’re supporting the children of Peru,” said Perez. “I think it’s very important that we participate in these COMRELs.”

Participation in COMRELs are a way for Sailors to show support and interact with the community.

“We’re showing our support to the world,” said Aviation Electronics Technician Airman David Martinez. “We’re showing that we care. We’re reaching out to communities that don’t have the resources or the man-power that we have.”

Sailors wishing to participate in upcoming COMRELs will have the opportunity in future ports during Washington’s deployment around South America.

Washington is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2015 which seeks to enhance interoperability, increase regional stability and build and maintain relationships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation.

• Date Taken: 10.04.2015
• Date Posted: 10.08.2015 10:01
• Story ID: 178450
• Location: LIMA, PE