USA Patriotism! ... "Showcasing Pride of America"USA Store! ... American / Patriotic themed gift products at USA Patriotism!

Home - Articles - Heroes - Photos - Poems - Stories - Students - Music - Videos
Quotes - Speeches - References - Great Patriots - Honor Halls - Stars for Troops
USA's Birth - New Content
- About - Contact - Press
- CureNow - Donate
- Privacy

Click To Google Search USA Patriotism!
USA Patriotism! YouTube ChannelJoin / Like the USA Patriotism! Facebook pagePinterestLinkedInUSA Patriotism! On TwitterUSA Patriotism! at Flickr

Patriotic Article
Military

Collectibles, apparel, and other gifts ... for Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and veterans! Checks with USA, military, and other patriotic designs Free Gifts from The Bradford Exchange Online

USS Bonhomme Richard: Navigation
by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam D. Wainwright - January 26, 2015

Telescoping flagpole with free American Flag

USA, military, and other patriotic themed pullover and button down Polo shirts

American Flag Western Boots

SASEBO, Japan - In the second part of our series, we turn our attention from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) to the Sailors that are getting her ready to take to the seas.

One of the first steps of that process is completed by a group of Sailors with a tremendous knowledge of the seas and all the accompanying obstacles that they present. Without this department, Bonhomme Richard would be an aimlessly floating vessel without any direction. The Sailors of the Navigation Department stand willing and ready to ensure Bonhomme Richard stays the course and navigates safely.

December 10, 2014 - Quartermaster Seaman Kiel Smith, from Paterson, N.J., uses a telescopic alidade to get true bearing from the forward lookout of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam D. Wainwrigh)
December 10, 2014 - Quartermaster Seaman Kiel Smith, from Paterson, N.J., uses a telescopic alidade to get true bearing from the forward lookout of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam D. Wainwright)

The Navigation Department consists of 15 Sailors that all work countless hours to ensure they do their part to get the ship underway. In the months and weeks leading up to a deployment, they are responsible for a variety of tasks including charting the ship's course, ensuring that the Voyage Management System (VMS), Bonhomme Richard's primary navigation radar, is up-to-date with the latest charts and a variety of tasks leading to Bonhomme Richard getting underway swiftly and safely.

“With everything that needs to get done in Navigation before the ship can get underway, it provides an enormous challenge for all of us,” said Quartermaster 3rd Class James Branighan, from Allen, Texas. “But, we take pride in attacking those challenges and making sure that Bonhomme Richard can go out and execute her mission.”

Charting the course and inputting information into VMS are only two of the tasks needed to be completed by Navigation to get Bonhomme Richard away from the pier. They are also responsible for ensuring all of the current publications, guidelines, charts and knowledge sources are on board and up to date. Adding in their equipment maintenance and upkeep responsibilities, and their inport watches, this crew of dedicated Sailors work more than 50 hours per week.

“We always need to be ready to get Bonhomme Richard underway at a moments notice,” said Quartermaster 2nd Class Bryan Payne, from Jacksonville, Fla. “So, we put in the hours and take the necessary steps to make sure that is possible. Staying one step ahead of the game and being completely prepared well ahead of time is something that we strive to achieve every day.”

Navigation Departments Sailors all echoed the sentiment that they are 100 percent ready to get the ship on the right course and she could leave tomorrow without missing a beat. The course is charted, the equipment is ready and Navigation's Sailors are prepared to continue to steer the course.

By U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam D. Wainwright
USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs
Provided through DVIDS
Copyright 2015

Comment on this article | USS Bonhomme Richard: Namesake and Facts | USS Bonhomme Richard: Weapons

USA Gifts Store! ... over 1,000 American / Patriotic themed products at USA Patriotism! USA / Americana theme ... polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, hats, caps, swimwear, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, jackets, under garments, and other apparel items American Pride: Poems Honoring America and Her Patriots! by David G. Bancroft