On November 23, the Argentine Navy Training Ship returned to the Buenos Aires Naval Station, her usual station in the North Dock, after completing the LIII Instruction Trip, in fulfillment of its traditional mission of professional training of Midshipmen in Commission and representing the country.
She was received at the dock by hundreds of relatives and friends of the crew members, military, and civilian personnel of the Institution; authorities from the Ministry of Defense, Armed Forces and Security, and special guests.
Once the plank was placed, the authorities boarded the Training Ship, where the reception ceremony was held in the foredeck sector. It was headed by the Minister of Defense, Dr. Luis Alfonso Petri, who was accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff of the Navy, Admiral Carlos María Allievi, together with the Chief of the General Staff of the Air Force, Brigadier Major Gustavo Javier Valverde, other authorities of the Armed and Security Forces, of the Superior Leadership.
After greeting the trained personnel, Minister Petri pronounced words of welcome. First, he congratulated the staff and highlighted the learning and effort, since “freedom is defended with discipline, character and honor.” In addition, he commemorated milestones that happened during the voyage and conveyed a message from the President of the Nation Javier Milei, who highlighted the “contribution in the defense of the Homeland”, which the sailors made and will continue to fulfill.
To end the ceremony, the authorities greeted the Midshipmen in Commission, and the Navy March was sung, accompanied by the chords played by the Music Band of the General Staff of the Navy.
Then, the crew members were able to descend the plank to, between tears and hugs, finally reunite with their affections that had been anxiously waiting for them from the dock, raising their welcome signs.
Among the relatives was Lieutenant Commander Andrea Villagra, who kept her son on the rise and her daughter by her side, waiting all together, and with great anxiety, for the moment to be able to meet with her husband, Lieutenant Commander Pablo Pascual Ponce, with whom she would be reunited after almost six months.
Another of those who was on the dock was Francisco, who showed the happiness of being able to reunite with his brother and sister-in-law, highlighting “the achievement and sacrifice they made”.
In this way, after approximately six months, a new Voyage of Instruction concluded, one more voyage for the Ambassador of the Seas, but the first for many of the crew members who will never forget this experience.