By MC1 James Mitchell, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs
Capt. Jeffrey Ward, commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), looks on as the ship returns to Sasebo, April 10. (U.S. Navy/MC3 Jeanette Mullinax) >>
SASEBO, Japan - The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) arrived in Sasebo, Japan, completing its regularly-scheduled patrol in the 7th Fleet area of operations, April 10.
Bonhomme Richard departed White Beach, Okinawa, after disembarking personnel, vehicles and equipment of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), April 8.
"We completed some valuable training on this patrol," said Capt. Jeffrey Ward, Bonhomme Richard's commanding officer. "The crew did a fantastic job working with the Marines. We increased our level of knowledge and enhanced our readiness to respond, and we did it safely and as a team. We're returning to Sasebo with a sense of accomplishment and pride."
During the patrol, Bonhomme Richard (BHR) and the 31st MEU completed amphibious integrated training (AIT) and a certification exercise (CERTEX).
Bonhomme Richard is the flagship of the BHR Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The Bonhomme Richard ARG consists of USS Bonhomme Richard, USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and USS Ashland (LSD 48).