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CENTCOM Commander Praises USS Bonhomme Richard

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050404-05
Release Date: 4/4/2005 11:40:00 AM

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

ABOARD USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At sea (NNS) -- U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. John Abizaid visited USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) (BHR) March 28.

While deployed to the Persian Gulf, Abizaid said BHR Sailors and Marines help to bring stability and peace to Iraq and the Persian Gulf region.

"Thank you for serving out here during a time of war," Abizaid told the crowd assembled in the wardroom for a re-enlistment ceremony. "When you're changing the world - and that is what we're doing here - you'll look back on it someday and say it is the most important thing you ever did."

Abizaid, in charge of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, commands all U.S. forces in an area of operations that stretches from the Horn of Africa to Central Asia. He said the role BHR and the other ships of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5 play in protecting Iraqi oil terminals is critical to the growing democracy there.

"You are protecting the vital resources of Iraq, and that is very important," he added.

The CENTCOM commander also thanked the spouses of the deployed Sailors and told the Sailors to pass on his appreciation to them for making their service possible.

Abizaid said his father's service as a Navy Chief during World War II gave him a deep respect for the Navy and the value of service.

"He was very proud of what he did, and his stories influenced my decision to serve," Abizaid said.

Abizaid's visit followed a week of overnight visits to BHR by national and international media outlets. CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer broadcast live from the flight deck earlier in the week. A group of reporters from Baltimore, Md.; Portsmouth, Va.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Orlando, Fla., also visited BHR. Two Al Iraqia Television reporters from Basra, Iraq, rounded out the week of BHR news coverage.

According to BHR Commanding Officer Capt. J. Scott Jones, BHR is always ready to host senior military leaders and media outlets.

"We're happy that so many important people want to visit us," Jones said. "It gives us a chance to showcase the great work being done aboard this ship. We are serving our country well out here on freedom's pointy edge, and it hasn't gone unnoticed. I couldn't be more proud of this crew."

USS Bonhomme Richard, the Flagship of ESG 5, is currently conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf. MSO is aimed at setting the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment. Illicit activity at sea has a global impact, and MSO pressurizes the maritime environment. It is the single most significant component of the conventional maritime effort against terrorism.