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Bringing the navy back to the retired USS Iowa Battleship
The USS Iowa's final days at Terminal 3 in Richmond, Calif. before it heads down to San Pedro on April 20, 2012.
(
Jennifer Sharpe
)
U.S. Navy brass honored a dozen officers today aboard the retired USS Iowa Battleship in San Pedro.
The pinning ceremony recognized those who've moved up from a junior rank to the senior rank of chief petty officer.
U.S. Navy Chief Ray Vasquez says some sailors waited 17 years for this moment in their career.
“We were on the fantail of the ship, which is the back end of the ship. There’s a whole open area where helicopters used to land when the ship was on active duty," he said. "It’s certainly a great feeling to come on board and bring the Navy back to the USS Iowa and help keep her alive.”
This is the second time the USS Iowa has played host to a military ceremony since it docked this summer in the Port of Los Angeles. The nonprofit Pacific Battleship Center operates the vessel as a naval museum.
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