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Bonhomme Richard, 15th MEU Conduct Amphibious Landings in Kuwait

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050223-02
Release Date: 2/23/2005 10:25:00 AM

By Chief Journalist Walter T. Ham IV, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

ABOARD USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At sea (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) (BHR) and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted amphibious landings in the Persian Gulf region Feb. 14-16.

Helicopters, Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) and Landing Craft Utilities (LCU) took part in the three-day off-load of Marines and their equipment for training exercises in Kuwait.

"It was a total blue-green team effort," said BHR Commanding Officer Capt. J. Scott Jones. "This is an important test of our most basic mission. Putting Marines on the beach is the cornerstone of amphibious warfare."

Landing craft from Assault Craft Units 1 and 5 played a large role in moving Marines not only from BHR, but also from USS Rushmore (LSD 47) and USS Duluth (LPD 6), BHR's sister ships in both Amphibious Squadron 7 and Expeditionary Strike Group 5.

LCAC Craftmaster Chief Fire Controlman (SW) Jeff Burns, of Glendale, Ariz., said flying a fully loaded LCAC is a well-rehearsed event for himself and his crewmates from Assault Craft Unit 5.

"We train extensively for these missions," Burns said, "and that training pays off here on the point."

According to Jones, BHR and other units of Expeditionary Strike Group 5 are covering many vital missions in the Persian Gulf, from providing Tomahawk strike capability to protecting the Khwar Al Amaya and Al Basrah oil terminals that are a critical source of economic support for the growing democracy in Iraq. But Jones said amphibious warfare is the primary mission of the San Diego-based BHR.

"This is what we do," Jones said. "We deliver."

Bonhomme Richard, the Flagship of Expeditionary Strike Group 5, is currently operating in the Persian Gulf in support of the global war on terrorism and the sovereign government of Iraq.