• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Underwood Refurbishes Panamanian School

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090324-19
Release Date: 3/24/2009 10:00:00 PM

By Navy Counselor 1st Class (SW/AW) Alex Roque, USS Underwood Public Affairs

CASCO VIEJO, Panama (NNS) -- Sailors from the guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) made a special visit to a local Panamanian school March 14.

A group of 12 Underwood Sailors and an embarked civilian instructor with the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) visited the San Felipe area located in Casco Viejo. Upon their arrival, they were greeted by representatives from the "Escuela de los Estados Unidos de America", which translates to United States of America's school. Members of the school's Parent-Teachers Association and the school's principal, Esther de Campbell, welcomed the Sailors to the school, and explained its needs for restoration.

Underwood Sailors got to work, painting two classrooms and repairing chairs and desks. They also made additional renovations inside and outside the school.

"Sailors work hard at sea, often working up to 18 hours a day," said Colleen Scott, NCPACE instructor assigned aboard Underwood. "For them to donate their day off to work is remarkable and proof of their dedication to our nation."

The school's staff greatly appreciated the Sailors' work and offered their thanks through smiles and hand shakes.

The combined efforts of Underwood and the American Society in Panama, who donated all the required materials for the project, helped make the project happen, providing a positive experience for both the Sailors and the Panamanian community.

Underwood, homeported in Mayport, Fla., is currently deployed under the operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO) and U.S. 4th Fleet, conducting counter illicit trafficking operations in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S), U.S. Law Enforcement and U.S. and participating nations drug control policy.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.