Posted on 02/22/2005 5:36:21 PM PST by SandRat
ABOARD USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- After answering a bridge-to-bridge distress call from a Kuwaiti fisherman Feb. 17, multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (BHR) (LHD 6) chased two pirate boats away from a group of fishing dhows in the Persian Gulf.
BHR received the call when a fishing boat was seized by a group of pirates in Boston whalers. Bonhomme Richard made best speed in pursuit of the pirates, chasing them away from the group of dhows.
According to BHR Commanding Officer Capt. J. Scott Jones, just the presence of the big deck amphibious ship was enough to scare the bandits away.
With 44,000 tons of combat power chasing after them, they got out of there in a hurry, Jones said. This proves again the deterrent capability of this ship and her Sailors and Marines. Just by being here, we were able to protect these fishermen.
The San Diego-based ship is currently supporting maritime security operations around oil terminals that are vital to Iraqs economy, and serving as one of the many maritime interception operations platforms to detect, deter and disrupt terrorist threats at sea.
On our deployment so far, we have delivered more than 1 million pounds of humanitarian supplies to Indonesian tsunami survivors, sent Marines ashore to conduct exercises and chased pirate ships away, Jones said. We have always been there when called, and BHRs Sailors and Marines continue to answer every bell.
Bonhomme Richard, the flagship of Expeditionary Strike Group 5, is currently operating in the Persian Gulf in support of the sovereign government of Iraq and the maritime effort against terrorism.
"Piracy" is becoming the new thing for terrorists.
Flag ship of John Paul Jones, named for the eponymous protagonist of Ben Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac.
Am I correct in assuming you attended publick skool in the last 20 years?
From US history and US Navy History about John Paul Jones
After conducting sea raids on the coast of Britain, he took command in 1779 of a rebuilt French merchant ship, renamed the U.S.S.Bonhomme Richard to honor Benjamin Franklin. On September 23, 1779, Jones engaged the British frigate Serapis in the North Sea, daringly sailing in close, lashing his vessel to the British ship, and fighting the battle at point-blank range. During the fight two of his cannon burst, and the British captain asked Jones if he was ready to surrender. Replied Jones: "Sir, I have not yet begun to fight." The American crew finally boarded the Serapis after the British had struck her colors, and from the deck of the Serapis they watched the U.S.S.Bonhomme Rich ard sink into the North Sea.
Much more at http://www.schoonerman.com/jpaulj.htm
I know a guy who attended a meeting at Pentagon where the ranking officer was ADM. Oliver Hazard Perry VII. I mean there is such a thing as carrying a tradition too far.
Aye! Aye! As well they should. Let the word go out to all them scurvy dogs. Uncle Sam is scouring' the Seven Seas fer all black hearted bilge rats! Arrrhhh!
Check out reply #14
Ring any bells?
John Paul Jones is also the greatest admiral in the history of the Russian Navy.
Bet the BHR Gunners Mates wished they still had some of the old 40mm and 20mm gun tubs along the rail and a couple of the 5"/38 turrets just for fun and long distance plinking.
Not to mention a hell of a British bass player.
USS Bonhomme Richard LHD-6
Then it's on to Tortuga me hearties, and we'll splice the mainbrace with the stolen Kings Rum.
I take it that your schooling didn't cover the actions of dead white males unless they were doing something wrong.
At least tell us that you know what John Paul Jone's name was before he changed it, and why he made the change. Extra credit if you can say where and how he died.
LOL! I think it has been 25 years since graduating college. I have heard the history of John Paul Jones, but I just plain forgot the name of his boat.
It has been a long day for this capitalist, the good thing is that I can ask a question here on the blogoshpere and get an immediate answer.
Cue the virgins!
Yes, but that's not it. Maybe when we get to Admiral Oliver Hazard Perry CCVI.
It is good to have families and traditions like this - because it reminds all those involved of just how proud our history really is.
John Paul Jones would have loved that boat. Thanks for the picture.
'Nuther pyrate thread here.
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