USS Bonhomme Richard, 11th MEU Underway for Final Certification Exercise

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Bonhomme Richard, 11th MEU Underway for Final Certification Exercise
UNITED STATES - 11 AUGUST 2009

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) (BHR) and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) got underway Aug. 10 for a certification exercise (CERTEX) to prepare for deployment later this year.

CERTEX is the last of a three-part pre-deployment exercise conducted to strengthen the MEU's ability to operate with the Navy and respond to situations that may arise.

"CERTEX tests both blue and green planning, execution and timeliness to see if we meet the standards to deploy," said Cmdr. Michael Dickson, Bonhomme Richard operations officer. "However, this exercise, unlike those previously completed, focuses mainly on the MEU's ability to carry out and properly execute their mission."

The MEU's mission as it is teams with the Bonhomme Richard includes providing a rapid-response force capable of conducting conventional amphibious and selected maritime operations from sea, by surface or air.

"Even though the focus of this exercise is geared mainly toward the Marines, it's the big BHR blue-green team, so this means Bonhomme Richard is operating at full swing in support of this mission and getting this certification under our belts so we can set our sights on a successful deployment," said Dickson.

Outside observers will assess the MEU through a series of individual evolutions that make up the overall mission of the MEU, including humanitarian and disaster relief assistance, long range helicopter recovery, non-combatant evacuation operations and amphibious assault operations.

"Marine inspectors from the First Marine Expeditionary Force will present us with situation and missions and observe our planning and execution throughout each evolution," said Dickson.

"This exercise builds on best practices and maintains continuity between the MEUs," said Col. Gregg P. Olson, the 11th MEU's commanding officer. "Standardization ensures that whichever combatant commander we may work for knows exactly what he is getting with a MEU."

Bonhomme Richard is the lead ship for the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, which includes Commander, Amphibious Squadron 7; USS Cleveland (LPD 7); USS Rushmore (LSD 47); Tactical Squadron 12 Detachment 2; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, Detachment 3; Assault Craft Unit 1 Detachments Bravo and Foxtrot, Beachmaster Unit 1 Detachment Bravo and Fleet Surgical Team 9.


PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 1, 2009) A landing Signalman enlisted directs a CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter during take off from the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard's (LHD 6). Bonhomme Richard, the flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean later this year.



PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 1, 2009) Marines board a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) for a long-range helicopter raid exercise. Bonhomme Richard, the flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean later this year.




PACIFIC OCEAN (July 30, 2009) The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) prepares to come along side the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment Oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) during an underway replenishment. Bonhomme Richard, is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for a scheduled Pacific deployment later this year.



PACIFIC OCEAN (July 30, 2009) Marines assigned to the Ground Combat Element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU), embarked aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), fast rope out of an Ch-46E Sea Knight helicopter onto the deck of the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise. Rushmore is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean later this year.



PACIFIC OCEAN (July 26, 2009) A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5 prepares to enter the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47). Rushmore is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean later this year.

 

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PACIFIC OCEAN (July 26, 2009) An AV/8-B Harrier assigned to the Sea Elks of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 166 lands aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7). Cleveland is assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) and is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise in preparation for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean later this year.



PACIFIC OCEAN (July 26, 2009) An AV/8-B Harrier assigned to the Sea Elks of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 166 takes off from the amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7). Cleveland is assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) and is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise in preparation for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean later this year.



PACIFIC OCEAN (July 20, 2009) A CH-46E Sea Knight prepares to land on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). Bonhomme Richard is underway conducting their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for a scheduled western Pacific deployment later this year.



PACIFIC OCEAN (July 20, 2009) A Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion lands aboard the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). Bonhomme Richard is underway conducting their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for a scheduled western Pacific deployment later this year.

 

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USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ships of the United States Navy are designed to land forces on hostile shores, and they are the largest vessels of this type in service anywhere in the world.

Length: 257 m.

SAN DIEGO (April 13, 2010) The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) arrives in San Diego, California after completing a seven-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.



U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Feb. 6, 2010) Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Bob Hope IV mans a 25 mm gun aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). USS Bonhomme Richard is the command platform for the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility.

GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 7, 2009) A CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (Reinforced) 166 takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). USS Bonhomme Richard is the command platform for the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU), currently supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.



PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 28, 2009) An AV-8B Harrier assigned to the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced) lands aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) while underway. USS Bonhomme Richard, the flagship for the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime strategy.



SAN DIEGO (Sept. 26, 2009) Aviation ordnancemen move missiles from the flight deck to the aft elevator aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). USS Bonhomme Richard, the flagship for the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group is on a scheduled deployment.



SAN DIEGO (Sept. 24, 2009) Tug boats guide the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as she turns into San Diego Bay. USS Bonhomme Richard and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit departed on a regularly scheduled western Pacific deployment.

 

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USS Bonhomme Richard Commences Dawn Blitz 2010
UNITED STATES - 2 JUNE 2010

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea -- The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) departed San Diego June 1 to participate in Exercise Dawn Blitz 2010.

Bonhomme Richard joins other San Diego-based sea commands, as well as Marine Corps units from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in the weeklong exercise which will sharpen the troops' ability to plan and conduct an amphibious assault.

Approximately 4,500 Sailors and Marines are participating in the exercise which will highlight the blue/green partnership, as well as hone skills needed to maintain operational readiness and core competencies.

"Bonhomme Richard is serving as a command and control platform and flagship for Expeditionary Strike Group Three and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force," said Lt. John Naumanuf, Bonhomme Richard's assistant operations officer. "The exercise is designed to plan, execute and evaluate a Marine expeditionary brigade-level amphibious landing. [The benefit of doing an exercise such as Dawn Blitz] is to sustain our already high level of amphibious experience and readiness in a higher OPTEMPO environment."

Utilizing helicopters and jet aircraft, amphibious assault vehicles, hovercraft, and weapons such as field artillery cannons, the troops will stage an amphibious assault operation demonstrating its ability to move units ashore and carry out mission objectives. Together, the Navy and Marine Corps team will show its expeditionary capability to project and sustain combat power ashore in the face of armed opposition.

Dawn Blitz 2010 highlights the Navy and Marine Corps' dedication to remain trained and ready to respond to the nation's call.

 

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 1, 2010) A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter comes lands behind a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) during Operation Dawn Blitz. The exercise is a series of amphibious operations involving Sailors and Marines to reinvigorate the core competency of amphibious operations and enhance interaction between the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps.



PACIFIC OCEAN (June, 3, 2010) CH-46E Sea Knights launch from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) during Dawn Blitz 2010. Dawn Blitz is a U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps training exercise to sharpen the ability of Sailors and Marines to plan and conduct a brigade size amphibious assault.



PACIFIC OCEAN (June 3, 2010) A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) approaches the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) during Dawn Blitz 2010. Dawn Blitz 2010 is a U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps training exercise that will sharpen Marines and Sailors ability to plan and conduct a brigade-size amphibious assault.



PACIFIC OCEAN (MAY 24, 2010) A Sailor assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) directs a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during flight operations on the first day of the ship's Dawn Blitz exercise. Dawn Blitz 2010 is a U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps training exercise to improve the planning and implementation of a brigade-size amphibious assault.

 

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USS Bonhomme Richard Conducts First-Ever Fueling at Sea with USS Freedom
UNITED STATES - 18 JUNE 2010

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea -- The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) conducted an underway replenishment, providing fuel to the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) June 16.

This was the first time both Bonhomme Richard provided fuel to a littoral combat ship and the first time Freedom received fuel from a large-deck amphibious assault ship.

For Bonhomme Richard Sailors, the evolution was a tremendous success.

"The UNREP was important because it extended our flexibility in supporting and assisting different types of ship platforms," said Lt. Dwayne Williams, assistant first lieutenant. "The evolution gave our Sailors experience in taking on new tasks and enhanced our mission readiness capabilities for future operations."

During the hour-long event, about 60 Sailors from Bonhomme Richard's Deck Department worked together to deliver more than 3,000 gallons of fuel to the Freedom. To prepare for the evolution, Bonhomme Richard Sailors participated in an intensive weeklong training course prior to the event.

Master Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/AW/SCW) Ian O'Meara, Deck Department leading chief petty Officer said, the class emphasized safety and clear communications.

"About 95 percent of our Sailors have never done this before," said O'Meara. "But, they executed the procedures safely and correctly from one step to the next with no deviations. I'm extremely proud of their efforts and performance."

And the Sailors were equally proud of their efforts said, Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Dennis Brown, UNREP rig captain. "There was no room for tippy toeing around, we had to be precise in our operations today, and we pulled it off with great success. It was a great day to be a boatswain's mate on the Bonhomme Richard."

First launched in Sept. 23, 2006, and delivered to the fleet Sept. 18, 2008, USS Freedom is the first ship of the revolutionary Littoral Combat Ship program, a fast, agile, mission-focused ship that demonstrates the latest in naval warfighting technology. The ship is specifically designed to defeat "anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal water regions, including fast surface craft, quiet diesel submarines, and mines.


PACIFIC OCEAN -- The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) conducts a replenishment at sea with the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6).