By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew M. Bradley
<< A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) assigned to Naval Beach Unit 7 departs the well deck of USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) during the offload of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Sept. 25. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joshua Hammond)
OKINAWA, Japan - The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) offloaded Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) after conducting joint-force operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility, Sept. 25.
During the patrol Bonhomme Richard and the 31st MEU participated in Exercise Talisman Saber 2013 and Exercise Koolendong 2013 (EK 13) with their counterparts in the Royal Australian military.
"Working alongside our counterparts from the 31st MEU has been great," said USS Bonhomme Richard Commanding Officer Capt. Daniel Dusek. "During this patrol we were able to conduct valuable training with the MEU as well as our Australian allies."
This patrol also featured the first time the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, embarked as part of the ACE for their first forward-deployed patrol with Bonhomme Richard.
Bonhomme Richard ARG reports to Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Hugh D. Wetherald and is currently conducting joint force operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.