Military Navy destroyer Luigi Durand de la Penne arrived today in Odessa, where he will remain until Thursday, September 7, within the 2 ^ Education Campaign of the Naval Academy.
Part of Taranto's 11 in August, the unit took the first stop at Piraeus and at the end of the stage in Ukraine will head to Varna in Bulgaria and Aksaz in Turkey to return to Italy at the end of the month.
The training campaign on an operating vessel represents an important training novelty for the 88 Second Class Officers of the Livorno Naval Academy who continue the professional career path undertaken by carrying out an intense training program focused on navigational behavior and maritime security.
Among the activities also carried out with 127 / 54 and 76 / 62 artillery exercises, the cannons of the ship, different from each other for the gauge and the "throw", the distance reached by the bullets.
Nave De la Penne's activities in foreign ports allow us to bring national excellence and the prestige of our Armed Forces abroad through participation in cultural and promotional events, in collaboration with the national diplomatic representations of the host countries.
This activity is also a significant moment for students who have an extraordinary opportunity to meet and confront different cultures and customs in an international, European and global vision that covers this beginning of the millennium as a "blue century." "Blue growth" is considered to be a key factor for sustainable development of our country in a context where maritimeism is a key resource for commercial, employment and technological growth.
The 5 september, at 11, the ship's commander, vessel captain Fabrizio Rutteri, will hold a press conference on board during which he will present the ship and the 2017 Education Campaign.
Durand de la Penne will be open to the public on the following days and times:
- 4 September, from 15.00 to 17.00;
- 5 September, from 15.00 to 17.00;
- 6 September, from 15.00 to 17.00;
IN DEPTH:
Ship Durand de La Penne.
Launched on October 20, 1989 and delivered to the Navy on March 18, 1993, Nave Luigi Durand de la Penne is a multi-role missile destroyer. The weapons systems and the detection sensors allow a medium and short range air defense of a naval formation, centered on the Radar 3D MM / SPS 798 and on the Tartar and Albatros missile systems, while the MK 2A Teseo system allows to engage naval targets and terrestrial beyond the horizon; the equipment is completed by antisubmarine detection sensors, hulled, towed and embarked on the helicopter, associated with the possibility of launching the new MU 90 torpedoes. From September 2009 until March 2011, the Unit underwent modernization works.
Originally named Animoso, in 1992, the Navy Chief of Staff of the Navy decided to call Unit Luigi Durand de la Penne, World War II Hero, disappeared the 17 of January of that year, becoming the first Unit with this name .
On the night of 19 December 1941 the then Lieutenant of Vessel Luigi Durand de la Penne led the attack as the parent company of 3 "Pigs", slow-running torpedoes led by two operators, to the fortified base of Alexandria in Egypt ended with the serious damage of British battleships Valiant e Queen Elizabeth, the oil tanker Sagona and the destroyer Jervis. After having overcome the harsh obstructions of the harbor, Luigi Durand de la Penne placed the explosive charge under the towers of the Valiant. Once he was on the surface, he was discovered and, brought on board with the second operator of his vehicle, was locked up in a room adjacent to the ammunition depot to force him to detect the position of the mine. A few minutes later, in order to save the crew, he wanted to inform the British Unit Commander of the imminent start of the office.
Winston Churchill described the historical enterprise with these words; "Six Italians equipped with irrelevant cost materials have waved the military balance in the Mediterranean for the benefit of the Axis."
Naval Academy of Livorno
The Naval Academy of Livorno forms the future leaders of the Navy from the 1881. All officers attend training and education courses, to be ready to meet the challenges that professional life will reserve for them. The selection and training paths are demanding and extremely selective, qualities such as motivation, dedication, spirit of sacrifice, ability to apply, physical and mental resistance are necessary. The training institute is therefore assigned the task of selecting, instructing and educating young students to assimilate the highest moral values and ethical principles of the Navy to become leaders capable of guiding their own men by example and professionalism, according to the highest traditions of the Armed Force.