Bonhomme Richard Awarded 3rd Consecutive Battle 'E'
Story Number: NNS030314-16
Release Date: 3/15/2003 12:07:00 PM
By Chief Journalist Jon McMillan, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs
ABOARD USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- For the third year in a row, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) has been named the Pacific Fleet's best large-deck amphibious warship and has been awarded the Battle Efficiency award for 2002.
"All hands have earned this Battle 'E' together; this crew is like no other I have seen in my 24 years," said Capt. Jon F. Berg-Johnsen, Bonhomme Richard's commanding officer. "Our performance in every area has been superb."
The 'Revolutionary Gator' was also awarded the Maritime Warfare Excellence Award, Engineering and Survivability Excellence Award, and Command, Control, Communications and Information Warfare Excellence Award.
"Three consecutive Battle 'E's is a definite sounder that says we are what the Navy expects from a front-line warship," said Master Chief Machinist's Mate (SW/AW) Pat Farrell, leading chief petty officer of Bonhomme Richard's engineering department. "We are not just following the standards; we are setting them."
The command climate aboard the ship emphasized knowing your job, doing it well, training others and working as a team. "The bar was set very high, the crew rose to the occasion and we all worked together as a team," said Ensign Stephanie Sanchez, division officer for deck department's 2nd division.
"This is a proud ship. We know we are the best ship of our class, probably the best ship on the waterfront," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Luke Potter, a watch supervisor in the ship's Combat Information Center. "Serving on a ship that pulled down three (Battle Efficiency Awards) makes me proud. I know I'm working with professionals who excel in their jobs."
More than just excelling in the job, Bonhomme Richard's crew has worked together as team - one forged through good leadership.
"Bonhomme Richard's crew is an incredible team," said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AW/SW) Wynn Young, leading chief petty officer of Bonhomme Richard's air department. "We have worked together through some very challenging times and have demonstrated that we can meet and conquer any problem. Winning the Battle 'E' three years in a row is indicative of the caliber of leadership found onboard this warship. They're focused, energetic and engaged."
Bonhomme Richard was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom during the first half of 2002 and spent the last few months of the year planning and then executing a compressed Planned Maintenance Availability and training cycle to prepare for another major deployment in January.
After just seven months in port, Bonhomme Richard deployed again in support Operation Enduring Freedom and is currently on station in the North Arabian Gulf.
The Navy 'E' Ribbon was established in 1976 to recognize Sailors permanently assigned to ships and squadrons that win battle efficiency competitions. The ribbon is worn after the Meritorious Unit Commendation and before the Prisoner-of-War Medal. It is Navy blue with borders of white and gold and is issued with a silver "E" device in the center, denoting first award. Subsequent awards are signified by additional "E" devices, with the fourth award indicated by a silver "E" surrounded by a silver wreath.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
