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Bunker Hill Participates in Los Angeles Navy Days

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060406-01
4/6/2006

By Journalist 1st Class Frank E. Neely, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

USS BUNKER HILL (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) participated in Navy Days Los Angeles March 30 to April 3.

The ship anchored off the coast of the L.A. suburb of Redondo Beach, and Sailors toured Universal Studios, the Reagan Library and Air Force One during the four-day port visit. Some Sailors also participated in deep-sea fishing trips and a softball tournament, where Bunker Hill Sailors defeated Coast Guardsmen from Coast Guard Station Los Angeles/Long Beach.

“The people [of Redondo Beach] were really friendly,” said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Scott Marco. “This one tops most ports I visited.”

Additionally, the city of Redondo Beach hosted various special dinners and a barbecue. In return, Bunker Hill hosted tours for Junior ROTC, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and prospective Sailors in the delayed entry program.

“Every [Sailor] I heard speak has been the epitome of professionalism,” said Kurt Kelly, senior Marine Junior ROTC cadets drill instructor at Topeka High School in Topeka, Kan., and a retired Marine Chief Warrant Officer. “Just to know they do what they do to keep us safe has been astonishing.”

Bunker Hill hosted more than 200 guest riders on the ship's transit from San Diego to Redondo Beach and back to San Diego.

“It’s impressive; you can see more being underway,” said Ken Urquhart, one of the civilian riders. “It educates the public how efficient their tax dollars are being spent.”

Sailors hosted tours of Bunker Hill’s combat information center, bridge, central control station and galley. Sailors also taught the guests about the ship’s capabilities, to include the vertical launching system, Aegis system and close-in weapons system.

“I hope [the riders] get the understanding and appreciation for what it means to be a Sailor in the United States Navy, and how much responsibility a young Sailor has,” said Lt. Cmdr. Darren McPherson, executive officer of Bunker Hill.

Ensign Aaron Mayville, one of the tour guides, said he wants the public to know that Bunker Hill is a very capable war-fighting machine. Information Systems Technician 1st Class Darragh Johnston, assigned to Bunker Hill, said Bunker Hill is the best cruiser in the Navy for the public to learn about.

“I think these visits do a lot to break down stereotypes that exist in peoples’ minds about the military,” said Capt. Charles Gaouette, commanding officer of Bunker Hill.

“I felt very welcomed,” said Bill Vochoska, who accepted the invitation from a friend to ride aboard. “The crew was very friendly and knowledgeable; they’re efficient, like a well-oiled machine.”

Bunker Hill’s mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea in support of U.S. national policy. She was the first naval vessel to employ the vertical launching system. She participated in the initial attack on Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom and provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the victims of the tsunami in South East Asia.