FROM THE CAPTAIN’S CHAIR

Revolutionary Gators, Family and Friends,

We are a bit past halfway through our planned maintenance period and things couldn’t be going better!  A brief update on our progress so far:

-      Our engineering work and modernization is moving ahead well and the painting of our island is complete.  Slowly but surely BHR is coming back to life and looking better than ever.

-      The “Tiger Teams” of BHR Sailors doing lagging, painting, decks, and berthing are doing a marvelous job renovating spaces all over the ship.  I am amazed at the quality of their work.

-      We are prepping for our return to the water as preservation and painting of the hull, installation of valves and our shafts, screws and rudders continue.  A few more sections of paint and the exterior will resemble that of the day she was launched.  We expect to be waterborne again in mid-April. 

-      A few things remain for us to accomplish upon our return to pier 13.  Installing our new computer network, finishing our MV-22 Osprey modifications and first stage of modifications to support the Joint Strike Fighter, applying new non-skid to the flight deck and a few major and minor tasks will be completed at the pier. 

As of now, we are moving a little ahead of schedule due to the diligent efforts of all onboard and their continued dedication to excellence and real pride of ownership.  Very groovy and very inspiring!   I am proud to serve with them.

Our immediate challenges lie ahead in completing our undocking in mid-April, preparations for our engineering light-off assessment, our combat systems light-off and returning to at-sea operational condition.  We expect to begin a few brief underway periods in July and August with the first being our Sea Trials in mid-July. 

Through all of this work, I cannot praise enough the actions, responsibility and attentiveness of your Sailors and Marines.  Though we are in the yards, we’ve managed to maintain a work schedule that maximizes our down time while achieving our goals.  Through activities such as the Gator cup, our various multicultural celebrations and plenty of time to spend in port with family and friends, we are, I feel, closer as a crew and a command as a whole.  Our efforts continue to set the pace on the waterfront and our actions, on and off duty, an example for others to follow. 

As we progress through the end of our DPMA period, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your efforts in accomplishing such an extensive overhaul.  We must continue to be vigilant, keep safety in our minds first and foremost and see the job through to completion.  I have no doubt we will emerge from this experience with Bonhomme Richard the pride of the waterfront and a truly Revolutionary Gator. 

Capt. J. Harnden

Commanding Officer

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)