Bonhomme Richard: Warfighting First, Part 5

USS BONHOMME RICHARD , AT SEA

12.21.2014

Courtesy Story

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cameron McCulloch USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

USS BONHOMME RICHARD - For as far back as the 2,500 years ago when kingdoms where clashing in Europe and dynasties in China where battling for supremacy it has been common knowledge among leadership that supply and logistics are possibly the most important aspects to master when it comes to warfighting.

Aboard forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) the Supply Department has been stocking supplies and storing food in order to prepare for the upcoming underway.

“For deployment purposes we have been receiving additional stores for the past month and half to two months,” said Lt. Cmdr. Sean Black, the assistant supply officer aboard Bonhomme Richard. “We might receive 20 to 30 pallets each week supporting our in port food service, repair parts and retail operations. Then we’ll get deployment load outs, upwards of 60 or 70 pallets. That requires participation from the Supply Department and from numerous divisions across the ship; from crane services, to forklift services, as well as the crew helping out with 50 and 100 man working parties. It ends up being a ship-wide evolution.”

It takes a lot of food, fuel, and other supplies to transport one thousand Sailors and two thousand Marines half way across the globe for months at a time.

“Underway we could have upwards of 2,500 Sailors and Marines,” said Black. “That means we have to prepare 7,500 meals each day. We have to maintain about 20 plus days worth of food on board. This is important for deployment load outs because we want to use “first in first out.” The culinary specialists are constantly going down to the store rooms and rotating stores to make sure we are using the freshest supplies.”

When the time comes, Bonhomme Richard will be sailing off with full freezers, lit spaces and pillows to lay their heads.

“Supply Department is kind of the unsung heroes,” said Black. “You never really notice when things are going right because the expectation is we will have everything to you when you need it. We will have the meals ready and prepared; we will have all the store rooms stocked and ready to go. Every day we are looking to make sure the ship has what it needs when it’s needed. We take pride in delivering top tier services on time, every time.”

• Date Taken: 12.21.2014
• Date Posted: 12.21.2014 18:35
• Story ID: 150875
• Location: USS BONHOMME RICHARD , AT SEA