Sailors and embarked Marines man the rails as the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) gets underway from Naval Base San Diego. Bonhomme Richard and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit departed on a regularly scheduled western Pacific deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John J. Siller /Released)
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Porter Anderson, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), with more than 4,500 Sailors and Marines, departed Naval Base San Diego Sept. 24, for a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and the Middle East.
Bonhomme Richard was delayed a week before deploying in order to correct engineering maintenance issues. Deficiencies were discovered that were best corrected pier-side before commencing with Bonhomme Richard's deployment.
A team from Norfolk Naval Shipyard was immediately flown to San Diego to begin repairs to the generators.
"I appreciate the efforts of the shipyard repair team, who have done a phenomenal job working around the clock to make repairs so that we can take this magnificent warship to sea safely and do our nation's bidding," said Capt. John Funk, Bonhomme Richard's commanding officer. "I also appreciate the efforts of every Sailor on board Bonhomme Richard for supporting the repair team while being flexible and maintaining our focus during the last several days."
Many of the Sailors aboard Bonhomme Richard are deploying for the first time in their Navy careers.
"I am both excited and sad to be deploying," said Seaman Jesus Molina, part of Bonhomme Richard's deck department, and deploying for the first time. "It's sad because I am leaving my six-week old baby and wife, but exciting to be able to see the world and prepare for my future in the Navy."
There are a number of deployment veterans who can give advice and support to those Sailors and Marines who are deploying for their first time.
"I know it can get rough out there when we are deployed," said Gunner's Mate 3rd Class William Payne, a deployment veteran aboard Bonhomme Richard and a member of weapons department. "The days are long, and the weeks fly by and once you hit the halfway mark, time starts to blur, and nothing, I mean nothing can ever compare to the feeling you get during the ship's homecoming. Seeing your friends and family on the pier after six months of hard work, that is what helped me get through the last deployment."
Bonhomme Richard's mission while deployed will be to support and maintain the Navy's Maritime Strategy to promote peace and security throughout the region.
"The war has continued to progress, and we have now an opportunity to contribute," said Capt. Rodney Clark, Amphibious Squadron 7 commander. "We bring the combatant commander a range of capabilities, so when we are called upon, they can come to us for anything from humanitarian missions to kinetic operations, and we are ready."
The Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with Bonhomme Richard as the flagship will also deploy with USS Cleveland (LPD 7) and USS Rushmore (LSD 47).
In addition to its ships, the ARG consists of the command element, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 7; Tactical Air Control Squadron 12, Det. 1; The "Wild Cards" of Helicopter Sea Combat 23, Det. 3; Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1, Det. B; ACU 5, Det. F; Beachmaster Unit 1, Det. B; and Fleet Surgical Team 9.