Bonhomme Richard presents friendship wreath to Japanese ship

SASEBO, JAPAN

12.09.2014

Courtesy Story

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ty C. Connors

SASEBO, Japan – Representatives from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) met with the crew of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMDSF) JDS Chokai, (DDG 176), at a ceremony in Sasebo harbor Dec. 9, 2014.

Lt. Cmdr. Micah P. Brewer, Bonhomme Richard’s first lieutenant, presented Chokai Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Mitsuhiro Imawaka with an evergreen wreath. Imawaka accepted the wreath on behalf of JDS Kurama, (DDH 144) Bonhomme Richard’s sister ship.

“We are very fortunate to share this season of friendship and family with our kind and generous hosts here in Sasebo,” said Capt. Joey Tynch, commanding officer of Bonhomme Richard. “The JMSDF is a tremendous and professional organization that we are honored to sail alongside. We enjoy the opportunity to share our holiday tradition of wreath-giving with our Japanese allies and we wish them, and the great people of Sasebo, the very best during the upcoming holiday season.”

“It was an honor to be involved in this ceremony,” said Lt Cmdr. Micah P. Brewer, first lieutenant on Bonhomme Richard. “And for me, the opportunity to spend time with my counterparts and tour their ship was a holiday treat that I will not soon forget. I very much enjoyed the opportunity to see how the Japanese ship runs and how many similarities we share.”

• Date Taken: 12.09.2014
• Date Posted: 12.10.2014 05:14
• Story ID: 149895
• Location: SASEBO, JP