 |
| USS Bonhomme Richard (Image: Wiki Commons) |
By Lt. j.g. Joshua Kelsey
BUSAN, Republic of Korea – The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7 commanded by Rear Adm. John B. Nowell, is scheduled to conduct a routine port visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) beginning March 3.
During the visit, Sailors and Marines will visit and engage with their ROK Navy partners and conduct a cultural exchange with the people of the ROK.
The Bonhomme Richard ESG is comprised of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), along with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
Approximately 3,400 Marines and Sailors make up the ESG. Embarked with air elements from Air Combat Element (ACE) and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, the ESG is equipped with the ability to support a wide range of air, land and sea operations.
Bonhomme Richard is the flagship of the Bonhomme Richard ESG and recently completed amphibious integration training (AIT) and a certification exercise (CERTEX) with Germantown and the embarked 31st MEU.
Ashland recently participated in the U.S. and Thailand co-sponsored joint exercise Cobra Gold, an exercise designed to enhance and advance the security commitments in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.