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BHR Completes Post-deployment Ammunition Transfer

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050812-15
Release Date: 8/12/2005 2:05:00 PM

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

ABOARD USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) (BHR) completed an ammunition transfer July 20 during a brief underway period off the coast of San Diego.

The ammo off-load represented the final stage of the ship's 2004-2005 Western Pacific deployment and ended a month of post-deployment surge-ready status.

Using helicopters and landing craft, utility (LCU), BHR's Weapons Division transferred the ship's ammunition to the deploying USS Peleliu (LHA 5) and a local naval station weapons depot.

BHR completed the five-day evolution in three days. Sailors used elevators and forklifts to transport more than 2,448,000 pounds of ammunition on 1,200 pallets from the cargo holds to the well deck and flight deck for further transfer off the ship.

According to BHR's Air Gunner Ens. Travis L. Scott, more than 300 helicopter lifts and eight LCU trips were made to clear the ordnance from the ship's weapons cargo hold.

Planning for the ammo off-load began more than three months in advance. Part of the planning phase was to inventory and account for every piece of ordnance before any pallet could be moved.

"Step one was to make sure everything was inventoried correctly," said Scott, a Columbia, S.C., native.

Many departments aboard BHR had a part in the ammunition off-load. BHR's deck department recovered and launched the LCUs, engineering department ensured the elevators worked properly, air department ensured the pallets safely left the flight deck, supply department prepared box lunches and combat cargo helped coordinate the movement of pallets.

"Hats off to every department who played a part in this off-load. It was totally a BHR team effort," said Scott.

"I am very proud of every Sailor who participated in the ammo off-load," said Capt. J. Scott Jones, BHR's commanding officer. "Transporting ammunition requires absolute attention to detail. BHR Sailors practiced safe ordnance handling, elevator, forklift and ramp safety procedures, to ensure the mission was a success."

BHR is currently steaming off the coast of San Diego, conducting post-deployment operations.