Deployment Update!

Hello faithful followers! So I know I haven't posted since deployment day but now that things are starting to settle into a routine, I thought I'd update you on the latest and greatest of this deployment. The ship has an awesome team of sailors who provide updates on what they are doing so from here on out, I will post these updates here :) I have spoken to David a couple of times and each time, he has sounded really great! His days are crazy busy which is good, because they make them go fast! He's getting to see and experience some once in a lifetime things; all of which I'm very excited to hear about when he comes home!

Recently, David became a Shellback! This is also known as the "crossing the line ceremony." Here's a little information I found that explains what this means. The ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite in the Royal Navy, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and other navies that commemorates a sailor's first crossing of the Equator. Originally, the tradition was created as a test for seasoned sailors to ensure their new shipmates were capable of handling long rough times at sea. Sailors who have already crossed the Equator are nicknamed (Trusty) Shellbacks, often referred to as Sons of Neptune; those who have not are nicknamed (Slimy) Pollywogs. I haven't heard from David yet as far as how his initiation went but from what I'm hearing, it was pretty brutal! The good news is, he survived and is no longer a "slimy wog" - yay!!

I hope everyone is doing wonderfully!
Lisa

BHR ARG/11th MEU Arrives in Timor-Leste for MAREX-09
By Bonhomme Richard ARG Public Affairs






Posted: October 14, 2009

SAVU SEA – USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), the flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), arrived Oct. 14 in Savu Sea to conduct a multi-lateral exercise in cooperation with the government of Timor-Leste.

During Marine Exercise 2009 (MAREX 09), ARG Sailors and embarked Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are scheduled to participate in Theater Security Cooperation programs and training ashore with the Timor-Leste and Australian militaries.

“We’re excited to work with our Timor-Leste and Australian partners,” said Commodore Rodney Clark, the ARG commander. “The ARG/MEU team hopes to build upon a strong relationship with this new country and make a difference in the community.”

Bonhomme Richard displaces 40,500 tons and features a 2.2 acre flight deck that will enable medical and dental personnel to travel ashore and assist local healthcare workers in providing care to local residents.

“The scope of the medical, dental and preventative medicine services the Navy harnesses afloat is an awesome capability not only for our own Marines and Sailors, but to those unfortunate few or many that may have suffered hardship,” said Commander, Amphibious Task Force Surgeon Cmdr. Steven Gabele.

In addition to offering medical and dental assistance, ARG/MEU personnel will partner with local government and education officials to repair the roof of a secondary school as well as construct desks and chalk boards.

Bonhomme Richard Sailors and Marines have also volunteered to participate in local sporting events and visit children in orphanages in the country’s capital city.

“It’s a great thing. These projects not only meet needs [in Timor-Leste] but also meet the desires of Sailors and Marines to help people. One of the last things people remember is our ability to make a positive difference in the communities that we visit,” said Cmdr. John Shimotsu, Bonhomme Richard’s senior chaplain and community service coordinator.

“The community service projects are on a smaller scale, but they are important because they are an expression of the good will of the United States Navy,” said Shimotsu.

The ARG’s other two ships, USS Cleveland (LPD 7) and USS Rushmore (LSD 47), are participating in the other portion of MAREX-09 in neighboring Indonesia.

The ARG also consists of the command element, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 7; the ready group’s flagship, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6); Tactical Air Control Squadron 12, Detachment 1; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, Detachment 3; Assault Craft Unit 1, Detachment B; Assault Craft Unit 5, Detachment F; Beachmaster Unit 1, Detachment B; and Fleet Surgical Team 9.

The Bonhomme Richard ARG is transiting the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations and reports to the Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, who is headquartered in Okinawa, Japan.