Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael S. Centeno, son of Marylin
C. Bowen of Redway, Calif., and Robert R. Centeno of Hollister,
recently made a port visit to Singapore while assigned to the
amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu, homeported in San Diego.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael S. Centeno, son of Marylin C. Bowen of Redway, Calif., and Robert R. Centeno of Hollister, recently made a port visit to Singapore while assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu, homeported in San Diego.
More than 2,600 Sailors and Marines from Centeno’s ship spent their free time touring Southeast Asia’s “City of the Lion,” which is home to a unique blend of cultures from around the globe. The service members also participated in a soccer tournament with local teams during their stay. This was the first time since February 2002 that the Peleliu had an opportunity to visit a foreign port.
USS Peleliu supports amphibious operations using landing craft air cushions which are specially designed hovercraft that travel above land and sea surfaces and deliver vehicles and equipment. The ship also has conventional landing craft and helicopters embarked and is equipped with medical facilities staffed by Navy doctors, dentists, nurses and corpsmen.
Centeno is a 1982 graduate of Gilroy High School, and joined the Navy in September 1984.
Marine Corps Pfc. Steve J. Grace, son of Jeri L. Grace of Hollister and Steve R. Grace of San Jose, recently graduated from the Cannon Crewman Course while assigned to the U.S. Army Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Okla.
During the course, Grace received instruction on the identification and use of artillery ammunition, and the characteristics, functions and duties of his assigned job.
Navy Seaman Isabel C. Medrano, daughter of Elizabeth J. Chambers of Hollister, recently participated in a 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable Certification Exercise (SOCEX) off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, while assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex, forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan.
SOCEX afforded Medrano and other members of his unit the opportunity to practice a wide range of skills necessary for handling various landing craft aboard the Essex.
Completing the SOCEX certifies the 31st MEU to execute 23 specific capabilities, including boat, helicopter and mechanized infantry raids, amphibious assaults, tactical recoveries of aircraft and personnel, and noncombatant evacuation operations.
USS Essex supports amphibious operations using landing craft air cushions, which are specially designed hovercraft that travel above land and sea surfaces and deliver vehicles and equipment. The ship also has conventional landing craft and helicopters, and is equipped with medical facilities staffed by Navy doctors, dentists, nurses and corpsmen.
Medrano is a 2000 graduate of San Benito High School, and joined the Navy in October 2001.
