USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

• 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. • 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. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on August 15, 1998, at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. • 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. • Flagship Duties: Served as the flagship for Expeditionary Strike Group 7 and Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, based in Sasebo, Japan, for several years. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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.