A day after the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and its supporting ships and aircraft return from deployment, the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard will arrive Tuesday to make San Diego its new home port.
Since 2012 the Bonhomme Richard has been based in Sasebo, Japan, as the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship.
During the six years in Japan, the ship participated in the bi-annual exercise Talisman Sabre with the Royal Australian Navy, worked side-by-side with Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and assisted with relief efforts following the Kumamoto earthquake in 2016.
“The crew is excited to have San Diego as our new home port,” said Capt. Larry McCullen, the commanding officer. “We accomplished much while serving in the 7th Fleet and I am happy to report that Bonhomme Richard stands ready to complete any tasking and any mission in support of 3rd Fleet.”
Amphibious assault ships are small aircraft carriers with helicopters, vertical-takeoff jets and landing craft to support a Marine unit.
While in in San Diego, Bonhomme Richard will upgraded to operate the F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter.
The ship is named after the Revolutionary War vessel on which, during a battle with the British, Capt. John Paul Jones uttered the famous line, “I have not begun to fight.”
