Justin Webb News

Following a 14-day port visit to , USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) (BHR) returned to sea July 11 to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. BHR will spend several days conducting flight deck and well deck operations as well as other drills and evolutions in preparation for the tactical phase of the exercise. "This is an excellent opportunity to prepare us for what we do anyway," said Capt. Neil R. Parrott, BHR commanding officer. "The ship just emerged from three months of maintenance availability in , so this allows us to get our skills back up to speed.

Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter visited Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Makin Island (LHD 8) May 29, as part of a scheduled Gulf Coast visit. Winter toured the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) facility and spaces aboard . His primary goal for the tour was to review updates on the overall shipbuilding activities at NGSB and for a status assessment of what's happening with . "The overall integration of combat systems in particular was most helpful, and I think it helped gauge not only where we are right now but where we'll be in the future," Winter said.

Thirty-five Sailors from Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) (LHD 8) graduated the Damage Control Familiarization Safety, Environmental and Occupational Health Programs (DC CREWFAM) at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) West Administrative Annex, April 11. DC CREWFAM is designed to provide Makin Island crew members with basic damage control (DC) processes, familiarization with the DC systems aboard the ship, and to review fundamentals covered in the personnel qualification standards (PQS) for those aboard. Machinery Repairman 1st Class (SW/AW) Calandra Crawford, who is also a DC academy instructor, attended the course and feels very strongly about damage control and its purpose on .

Seven crew members from pre-commissioning unit (PCU) Makin Island (LHD 8) witnessed a construction milestone Feb. 26, when LHD 8 became the first Navy vessel with a 35,000 horsepower LM2500+ gas turbine engine to successfully complete forward main engine light off (MELO). LHD 8 is part of the Navy's Smart Ship design, which is an effort to reduce manpower through the increased use of technology. Makin is also the first amphibious assault ship equipped with a hybrid electric-drive propulsion system, a 4,160 volt electrical distribution system and an advanced machinery control system (MCS). Main Propulsion Leading Petty Officer, Gas Turbine Systems Technician…