The safe and smooth launching and recovering of aircraft on a floating landing strip relies significantly on the coordination of several operational work centers within the ship. Each center has its key members that take on added responsibilities, regardless of their rank.
U.S. Sailors, assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7, work together with Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to conduct coordinated amphibious operations during Exercise Ssang Yong 2016 (SY16).
The room was buzzing with nervous tension as the twelve candidates waited for their name to be called. These past weeks of intense physical training and conditioning combined with the fast-paced course material would lead to this final test. One by one, each candidate’s name was called and one by one they make their way to the pool.
Sailors and Marines line up in the mess line to fill their trays. The crew’s mess deck is spotted with shades of blue and green. A couple of Sailors bag and pass out fresh popcorn. There’s a feature movie playing on the televisions, but the sound is completely drowned out by the conversations and laughter of brothers and sisters bonding on a Saturday night.
I originally had three-year orders out here with forward-deployed USS Essex (LHD 2). When it came time for me to pick my orders at my nine-month window, I met my future wife, Aya.
