• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Sailors Bring LCU 1665 to Life

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091205-07
Release Date: 12/5/2009 11:58:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Sarah E. Bitter, Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group Public Affairs

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- A 12-member team, serving aboard landing crafty utility (LCU) 1665 while operating with the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) on a scheduled deployment, emodies the type of versatility desired in every Sailor.

LCUs transport equipment, tanks and troops between ships and ashore.

"Because we are so small, we all have many different jobs on the boat. When I'm not cooking, I'm the craft's medical first responder," said Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW) Mark Maheux. "I'm also qualified to stand watches on the craft."

During a multilateral training exercise, Marine Exercise 2009, with Indonesia in October 2009, each crew member played several roles to complete the craft's assigned missions.

"I am an engineman, but I have been trained to navigate, as well as load the craft. When we were in Indonesia, I helped direct Humvees, bulldozers and personnel aboard," said Engineman Fireman Marlon Muschett.

Throughout the 10-day training exercise in Indonesia, LCU 1665 helped transport more than 50 vehicles, 400 tons of equipment and 1,000 Sailors and Marines ashore.

"Everyone on the craft was able to pick up where someone else left off to finish whatever needed to be done during MAREX 09," said Maheux.

LCU Sailors are trained to be flexible and handle a variety of tasks. Twice a week craft personnel cross-train to learn skill set in the different rates that are required to officially operate the craft.

"We are all trained and capable to do each other's job," said Quartermaster 2nd Class Thomas Kerr, LCU 1665's navigator.

Quartermaster 2nd Class Janice Carmenattycharon is the assistant leading petty officer, repair parts petty officer, female liaison and anti-terrorism warrant officer.

Engineman 3rd Class Joanne Gonzalez not only helps maintain the LCU's engines but is also qualified to control the craft's speed as a throttleman and steer the craft as a helmsman.

"Twelve different personalities come together to accomplish one mission," said Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Jerome Baldwin, LCU 1665's craftmaster.

"Our mission is to support the ARG by getting Marines and their equipment quickly and safely from the ship to the shore," Baldwin added. "This allows our ships to maintain a safe distance from the beach."

The Bonhomme Richard ARG includes three ships – amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard, amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47).

The ARG also includes the command element, Amphibious Squadron 7; Tactical Air Control Squadron 12, Det. 1; Helicopter Sea Combat 23, Det. 3; Assault Craft Unit 5, Det. F; Beachmaster Unit 1, Det. B; and Fleet Surgical Team 9.

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Squadron 7, visit www.navy.mil/local/cas7/.