USS Bonhomme Richard Arrives in Pearl Harbor, Joins US 3rd Fleet

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Gavin T Shields | 180427-N-DL434-1239 PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (April 27, 2018) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Kylee Porter, from Riverside, Calif., renders honors to the USS Arizona Memorial as the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) arrives at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for a scheduled port visit. Bonhomme Richard, which had been forward-deployed since 2012 as the Amphibious Force 7th Fleet flagship, is transiting to San Diego as part of a homeport change where it is scheduled to undergo upgrades to operate the F-35B Lightning II. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seamand Gavin Shields/Released)  

PEARL HARBOR, HI, UNITED STATES

04.27.2018

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Zachary DiPadova 

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) arrived in Pearl Harbor, April 27, marking the ship’s first port visit since it entered U.S. 3rd Fleet.

Bonhomme Richard is stopping at Pearl Harbor as part of the ship’s transit from Sasebo, Japan, to San Diego, where the ship will be permanently homeported.

“Our visit to Hawaii marks a new chapter in Bonhomme Richard’s history, and we are proud to be back on American soil after a successful FDNF tour of duty,” said Capt. Larry McCullen, Bonhomme Richard’s commanding officer. “There is so much important naval history to take in at Pearl Harbor, and the island is a beautiful place to visit. It will be good for the crew to experience both during our time in port.”

Airman Dane Sandt, a Bonhomme Richard crew member from Branson, Missouri, was born in Hawaii and said he is excited about being able to return as a Sailor.

“I’m looking forward to manning the rails and rendering honors as we pull in to Pearl Harbor,” said Sandt. “I was born in Hawaii and left shortly after, so I’m eager to return. I plan on getting an authentic Hawaiian breakfast and doing some surfing during our off-duty time.”

Forward-deployed to Japan since 2012, Bonhomme Richard has called Sasebo home for six years, serving as the flagship of Expeditionary Strike Group 7, providing a rapid-response capability for the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The ship is transiting to San Diego where it will conduct operations in 3rd Fleet prior to entering an extended maintenance availability, including upgrades and modernization to operate the F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft.

• Date Taken: 04.27.2018
• Date Posted: 05.02.2018 18:53
• Story ID: 275497
• Location: PEARL HARBOR, HI, US