Honduran Navy Commander Attends U.S. Navy Graduation

By Lt. Nicholas O'Neill, Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Honduran Navy Commander attended the Center for Combat Systems (CSCS) Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center's (FLEASWTRACEN) graduation at Naval Base Point Loma, May 22.

Rear Adm. Hector Orlando Caballero witnessed his son, Sonar Technician (Surface) 3rd Class Brandon Caballero, who is a U.S. Navy Sailor, graduate from the A(V)15 Operations course.

As the top officer in the Honduran Navy, Caballero is responsible for a fleet of more than 50 vessels focused on coastal and riverine security. The Honduran Navy is a vital partner in U.S. efforts to disrupt illegal drug trafficking. In 2010, and again in 2011, the U.S. partnered with Honduras to open naval facilities in country that house patrol boats and aircraft from both Honduras and the U.S. to patrol the Caribbean coast for drug traffickers.

FLEASWTRACEN Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Dugan greeted Caballero and spoke at the graduation.

"I am so proud of each Sailor," Dugan said. "Anti-submarine warfare is an extremely important part of the Navy's mission and you are on the front lines of that effort. The knowledge and skills you gained here have shaped you for future success. I know you all are going to do great things in your career and I thank you for your service."

During the course, students conducted training on an almost identical console they will utilize on a ship.

"All the system functionality they will have in the ship is replicated here and this allows us to produce a much more proficient and tactically savvy operator," explains Lt. Michelle Smith, FLEASWTRACEN's A(V)-15 division officer. "Following the operations course, students attend the maintenance course where they are taught how to properly care for and maintain equipment before heading to the fleet as fully qualified operators."

Following the ceremony, Caballero expressed how impressed he was with the graduates and thanked Dugan for his hospitality.

CSCS' mission is to develop and deliver surface ship combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority. CSCS headquarters' staff oversees 14 learning sites, including FLEASWTRACEN. With a military and civilian staff of 260, FLEASWTRACEN convenes approximately 500 classes a year, across 78 courses of instruction producing approximately 4,800 graduates annually in the many facets of maintaining and operating their ships in the areas of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.