About this Unit
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) was a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship commissioned into the United States Navy on August 15, 1998. Named after the famous Revolutionary War-era frigate commanded by John Paul Jones, LHD 6 served primarily in the Pacific, supporting expeditionary and humanitarian missions, as well as joint exercises with allied navies. The ship participated in operations such as disaster relief in Southeast Asia and routine deployments with the U.S. 7th Fleet. Tragically, on July 12, 2020, Bonhomme Richard was severely damaged by a massive fire while docked in San Diego, leading to the decision to decommission and scrap the ship in 2021.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Heritage: USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) was named after the famous Revolutionary War frigate commanded by John Paul Jones; "Bonhomme Richard" translates to "Good Man Richard," honoring Benjamin Franklin.
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Wasp-class Amphibious Assault Ship: It is the sixth ship in the Wasp-class, designed to deploy and support U.S. Marine Corps landing forces during amphibious operations.
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Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on August 15, 1998, at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.
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Humanitarian Missions: USS Bonhomme Richard participated in humanitarian assistance, including disaster relief operations in East Timor in 2000 and in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
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Flagship Duties: Served as the flagship for Expeditionary Strike Group 7 and Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, based in Sasebo, Japan, for several years.
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Joint and Multinational Exercises: Took part in major exercises like Cobra Gold in Thailand, Talisman Saber in Australia, and Balikatan in the Philippines, enhancing interoperability with allied forces.
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Flight Deck Capability: The ship’s flight deck supports AV-8B Harrier II jump jets, MV-22 Ospreys, CH-53E Super Stallions, and various helicopters, operating as a small aircraft carrier.
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Historic Fire Incident: On July 12, 2020, a catastrophic fire broke out while the ship was docked in San Diego; it burned for over four days, causing extensive damage and leading to the ship’s decommissioning.
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Decommissioning and Scrapping: After the 2020 fire, the Navy determined repair was cost-prohibitive, and the ship was officially decommissioned on April 14, 2021, and later slated for scrapping.
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Legacy and Honors: Throughout its service, USS Bonhomme Richard earned multiple awards, including the Battle "E" (Efficiency) Award, and left a legacy of operational excellence and partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.
