Michelle Thurman

FRC West, or Fleet Readiness Center West, is a critical maintenance and repair facility for the United States Navy, located at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. Established as part of the Navy's Fleet Readiness Center network, FRC West traces its origins to earlier aviation maintenance units supporting the Pacific Fleet's operational readiness. The unit specializes in providing comprehensive depot-level maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for naval aircraft, particularly the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet. Through its skilled workforce and advanced technical capabilities, FRC West plays a vital role in sustaining naval aviation power in the Western United States.

USS Hopper (DDG-70) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the United States Navy, commissioned on September 6, 1997. Named in honor of Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist, the ship has played a key role in both Pacific and Middle Eastern operations. USS Hopper has participated in numerous multinational exercises, ballistic missile defense missions, and freedom of navigation operations, particularly in the Western Pacific and South China Sea. The destroyer has also been deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, showcasing its versatility and advanced combat systems.

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.