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USS Bonhomme Richard Achieves Certification Sweep

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060427-14
Release Date: 4/29/2006 4:35:00 AM

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

ABOARD USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- By certifying for engineering operations during their April 20-21 ULTRA-E assessment, the Multipurpose Amphibious Assault Ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) achieved an unprecedented sweep of the ULTRA-C and E unit-level training assessments.

On April 17–18, the ship certified in Anti-terrorism/Force Protection, and BHR achieved superior results during the ULTRA-C certification less than a month earlier.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this crew,” said BHR Commanding Officer Capt. Steve Greene. "But certifying in these critical mission areas is just the beginning. These are perishable skills. With our nation at war, we have to stay ready to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea, whenever and wherever called.”

BHR’s path to certification began during the ship’s six-month Docked Planned Maintenance Availability, where BHR Sailors conducted weekly shipwide drills and daily duty section drills to stay current on their damage control, medical and force protection skills.

“We started training in the shipyards to ensure we began the training cycle at a run rather than a crawl,” Greene said. “It paid off when it came time for the ULTRA-C and -E certification process.”

Since the San Diego-based warship was commissioned in August 1998, BHR has deployed four times. During these deployments, BHR has launched combat missions into Iraq and Afghanistan, conducted maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf and dispatched millions of pounds of humanitarian relief to Indonesian tsunami survivors.

“Because of this ship’s operational track record, BHR’s Sailors and Marines take training seriously,” said Greene. “They know this is not just an academic exercise.”

Bonhomme Richard is currently training for a future deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.