US Navy’s forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) arrived at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, for a visit as part of its Indo-Pacific deployment.
The ship arrived in Okinawa on March 22 following a week of unit-level training at sea.
Bonhomme Richard’s crew has conducted several drills and trainings to ensure readiness and sharpen the crew’s rapid-response skills.
“We train so we are ready to respond to any kind of contingency or crisis in the AOR (Area of Responsibility),” said Capt. Larry McCullen, commanding officer of Bonhomme Richard. “I believe the strength of our navy lies in the time we put towards training, so we’ve been doing drills throughout the ship, to include ship-handling with the bridge team, all while staying focused on safety and the basics.”
From simulated aircraft and main machinery room fires, ship maneuvering from the bridge, to a mass casualty drill in the hangar bay and medical, Bonhomme Richard sailors had the opportunity to strengthen their skills and gain hands-on experience during a week focused on shipboard training.
While in port, Bonhomme Richard’s crew will have the opportunity to participate in events and tours hosted by the ship’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation division.
Bonhomme Richard is operating in the Indo-Pacific region as part of a regularly scheduled patrol and provides a rapid-response capability in the event of a regional contingency or natural disaster.