• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

First 'Big Deck' Amphib VBSS Team Certified Aboard USS Bonhomme Richard

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS041226-01
Release Date: 12/26/2004 8:06:00 PM

By Journalist 3rd Class Ryan Valverde, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

USS BONHOMME RICHARD (NNS) -- Afloat Training Group (ATG) Middle Pacific certified the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Dec. 14 during a port visit at Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

The Revolutionary Gator is the first big deck amphibious assault ship to have a certified VBSS team aboard. The team not only certified but was also awarded the highest scores by the assessment team.

"ATG has recommended us for certification," said Lt. j.g. Doug Baker, Bonhomme Richard's VBSS team's boarding officer and team coordinator, from Roxbury, Conn. "We are the first 'big deck' to have a [VBSS] team, and we are, pretty much, writing the book for the LHA/LHD class ships."

The VBSS team will add another capability to a fleet commander's arsenal. When needed, the team can board and search any contact of interest, said Baker.

"We will search everything from small dhows (fishing boats) to shipping vessels," Baker said. "We will be searching for violations of U.N. sanctions. Everything from weapons and drugs to bomb making materials."

"Now we are able to provide flexibility to any theater commander to conduct a VBSS on a short notice," said Lt. Dennis Jacko, VBSS team coordinator, from Sayreville, N.J.

The certification comes after months of rigorous training. The team attended a VBSS course of instruction in Everett, Wash., weeks before deployment.

"Most VBSS teams have over six months to prepare for the assessment by ATG," Baker said, "and we did it in around two months. It took endless hours of research and training on top of regular shipboard duties."

Each potential VBSS team member had to meet certain prerequisites and qualifications before being considered for the team.

"We hand picked the top 14 guys that were best suited for the job," Baker said. "On a ship this size you have a broad range of rates to choose from to have a fully loaded team."

The VBSS team is made of Sailors on the ship from different rates, including damage controlmen, hull maintenance technicians, and interior communications electricians.

"It was an honor to be chosen as part of this team," said Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Alex Antrim, VBSS team member from Los Angeles. "It is great to have such an active role in the war against terrorism."

Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class William Milbourn, of Taylorsville, Utah, said this is his first time on a VBSS team.

"It is a chance to gather the intelligence in a more hands-on approach," said Milbourn. His VBSS teammate, Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Courtland Sykes, of Hot Springs, Ark., echoed, "I want to collect and provide the battle group with as much intelligence as possible."

"There is a tremendous wealth of manpower on this ship to do any VBSS operation," said Capt. J. Scott Jones, commanding officer of the San Diego-based ship. "I saw no reason why we shouldn't have a VBSS team. The ship will operate as a command and control platform. Now we can also operate in a VBSS role with our team."

Jones also said just the size of a "big deck" amphibious assault ship is a major deterrent factor with its firepower abilities and the embarked air wing.

"Just the sight of the ship can overwhelm a potential contact of interest and quite literally make them compliant," Jones said.

Bonhomme Richard is currently deployed operating in the Western Pacific Ocean with Expeditionary Strike Group Five in support of the Global War on Terrorism.