USS Bonhomme Richard Commences Dawn Blitz 2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Duke Richardson, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) departed San Diego June 1 to participate in Exercise Dawn Blitz 2010.

Bonhomme Richard joins other San Diego-based sea commands, as well as Marine Corps units from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in the weeklong exercise which will sharpen the troops' ability to plan and conduct an amphibious assault.

Approximately 4,500 Sailors and Marines are participating in the exercise which will highlight the blue/green partnership, as well as hone skills needed to maintain operational readiness and core competencies.

"Bonhomme Richard is serving as a command and control platform and flagship for Expeditionary Strike Group Three and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force," said Lt. John Naumanuf, Bonhomme Richard's assistant operations officer. "The exercise is designed to plan, execute and evaluate a Marine expeditionary brigade-level amphibious landing. [The benefit of doing an exercise such as Dawn Blitz] is to sustain our already high level of amphibious experience and readiness in a higher OPTEMPO environment."

Utilizing helicopters and jet aircraft, amphibious assault vehicles, hovercraft, and weapons such as field artillery cannons, the troops will stage an amphibious assault operation demonstrating its ability to move units ashore and carry out mission objectives. Together, the Navy and Marine Corps team will show its expeditionary capability to project and sustain combat power ashore in the face of armed opposition.

Dawn Blitz 2010 highlights the Navy and Marine Corps' dedication to remain trained and ready to respond to the nation's call.