Military

USS Bonhomme Richard Leaves Shipyard

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060113-08
Release Date: 1/13/2006 2:19:00 PM

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

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Following three months of extensive drydock maintenance, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) (BHR) left the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) Jan. 5 and returned to Naval Station San Diego.

The multipurpose amphibious assault ship was raised out of the water for the first time in her eight years of commissioned service Oct. 1. While pierside at the naval station, BHR is still undergoing maintenance as a part of the ship’s regularly scheduled Drydocking Planned Maintenance Availability.

The crew worked and lived on barges berthed on both the naval station and in NASSCO while the ship was in drydock. BHR Sailors also maintained their readiness by conducting weekly training sessions.

“It’s great to be back in the water again,” said BHR Commanding Officer Capt. Steve Greene. “The whole maintenance team - NASSCO shipyard employees, the Navy’s Southwest Region Maintenance Center, and the BHR crew – worked hard and accomplished a tremendous amount of work while in drydock. It truly has been a team effort to this point.”

Work will continue for several more weeks while the ship is pierside at the 32nd Street Naval Station.

“We are glad to be back at the naval station, moving back aboard the ship, and we all are looking forward to taking BHR out to sea again,” Greene said.

At the completion of the maintenance period, the BHR crew will conduct sea trials and begin training for their next deployment.