File:USS Constitution’s 2009 Chief Petty Officer Heritage Week’s training events 090820-N-BV659-006.jpg

English: Royal Navy Leading Diver Simon West runs in one of USS Constitution’s 24-pound long guns during Aug. 20’s USS Constitution’s 2009 Chief Petty Officer Heritage Week’s training events. While all the chief selects train at Old Ironsides in techniques of 18th century seamanship to immerse in American naval heritage, the addition of two Royal Navy Sailors to USS Constitution’s induction week completes a circle of Old Ironsides’ history starting early in the 19th century. During the War of 1812 against the British, Old Ironsides became the first U.S. frigate to defeat a British warship at sea and, by doing so, foreshadowed America’s rise to a naval superpower. As staunch allies almost 200 years later, Great Britain’s and America’s partnership is embodied by both Navys’ senior enlisted training side by side. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Clay Weis)