Hispanic and Latin American Organization Visits Cheyenne
By Lt. j.g. Victor F. Perez
USS Cheyenne Public Affairs

Release Date: 10/26/2012

(PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii) – Members of the Association of Naval Services Officers (ANSO), Hawaii Chapter, visited the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Oct. 26.

ANSO is an organization dedicated to expanding the presence of Hispanics and Latin Americans in the Sea Services - the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. Among the members present for the tour were Lt. Cmdr. Roque Danas, President of ANSO Hawaii, Lt. Cmdr. Jose Vargas, Treasurer of ANSO Hawaii, Lt. j.g. Raymond Heberlig of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, and Mr. Jose Villa, President of Latin Business Hawaii and Publisher of Hispanic Hawaii News.

"My hats off to the Navy. I am used to what is done above the surface, but it is amazing to see what the Navy does below the surface of the water," said Danas. "It's a whole new world."

Cheyenne's commanding officer, Cmdr. Noel J. Gonzalez, a long-time ANSO member, invited the ANSO members aboard the submarine for a tour and lunch.

"It is a great honor to be part of this team," said Gonzalez. "I look forward to future get togethers with not only our Coast Guard brothers, but all other service's ANSO members as well."

The visit comes days after the conclusion of Hispanic Heritage Month, and marks the start of a new alliance between a predominantly Coast Guard chapter and its new Navy members.

"The goal of our meeting is to join forces with our Coast Guard brothers and discuss ways to increase the participation of Navy Sailors and Marines in ANSO," said Lt. j.g. Victor F. Perez, ANSO member and Public Affairs Officer on Cheyenne. "I have been an ANSO member for years, and I am a strong believer in the value of such an organization that empowers its members through mentorship and training by people from similar backgrounds."

Following a tour of various spaces, the ANSO guests had lunch in the wardroom. Hosts from the Submarine included the commanding officer, public affairs officer, and Cheyenne's Junior Sailor of the Year, Electronics Technician 2nd Class Michael Lim.

"It is good to experience the different branches of the military service and good to have them come down and see the lifestyle we live," said Lim.

Completed in 1992 and christened on April 1st, 1995, Cheyenne is one of the most advanced submarines in the world. She has 12 vertical launch tubes, retractable bow planes, and varying sonar arrays.
ANSO was established in 1981 and has since worked closely with the Chief of Naval Operations and supports his goals for diversity. The organization is open for membership to all, regardless of ethnicity and/or rank. ANSO provides its members with mentorship, training, and networking opportunities in an effort to increase their retention in the military. For more information, visit the website www.ansomil.org. To join ANSO Hawaii, contact Lt. Cmdr. Danas at Roque.J.Danas@uscg.mil.