View source for USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6)

{{short description|Wasp-class amphibious assault ship}}
{{Other ships|USS Bonhomme Richard}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = File:USS Bonhomme Richard transits near the Royal Australian Navy ship. (35646532324).jpg
| Ship caption = USS ''Bonhomme Richard'' on 8 August 2017
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = United States
| Ship flag = {{USN flag}}
| Ship name = ''Bonhomme Richard''
| Ship uic = 22202
| Ship namesake = [[USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31)|USS ''Bon Homme Richard'' (CV-31)]]
| Ship ordered = 11 December 1992
| Ship builder = [[Ingalls Shipbuilding]]
| Ship laid down = 18 April 1995
| Ship launched = 14 March 1997
| Ship acquired = 
| Ship commissioned = 15 August 1998
| Ship decommissioned = 15 April 2021
| Ship fate = Scrapped
| Ship in service = 
| Ship out of service = 
| Ship struck = 15 April 2021
| Ship identification = *[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: NBHR
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Bravo}}{{ICS|Hotel}}{{ICS|Romeo}}
*[[Hull number]]: LHD-6
| Ship motto = ''I have not yet begun to fight!''
| Ship nickname = *''Bonnie Dick''
*''BHR''
| Ship badge = [[File:USS Bonhomme Richard COA.png|150px]]
}}{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Ship class = {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship}}
| Ship displacement = {{cvt|40358|LT|lk=on}} full load
| Ship length = {{cvt|844|ft}}
| Ship beam = {{cvt|105|ft}}
| Ship draft = {{cvt|27|ft}}
| Ship depth = 
| Ship hold depth = 
| Ship decks = 
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 
| Ship power = * 2 {{cvt|600|psi}} boilers
* {{cvt|70000|shp}}
| Ship propulsion = * 2 geared steam turbines
* two [[Propellers|shafts]]
| Ship speed = {{cvt|22|kn}}
| Ship range = {{cvt|9500|nmi}} at {{cvt|18|kn}}
}}
{{Infobox|child=yes
| label1 = Well deck dimensions
| data1 = {{convert|81|by|15.2|m|ft|disp=flip|adj=on}} by {{convert|8.5|m|ft|disp=flip|adj=on}} high
}}{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = yes
| Ship boats = * 3 [[Landing Craft Air Cushion]] or
* 2 [[Landing Craft Utility]]<ref name="Navy fact file">{{cite web |title=Fact File: Amphibious Assault Ships - LHD/LHA(R) |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&ct=4&tid=400 |publisher=U.S. Navy |date=13 April 2016 |access-date=11 November 2016 |archive-date=19 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019033201/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=400&ct=4 }}</ref> or
* 12 [[Landing Craft Mechanized]]
| Ship capacity = 
| Ship troops = 1,894 troops (plus 184 surge) [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]] Detachment
| Ship complement = 1,108
| Ship sensors = * 1 [[AN/SPS-49]] 2-D Air Search Radar
* 1 [[AN/SPS-48]] 3-D Air Search Radar
* 1 [[AN/SPS-67]] Surface Search Radar
* 1 [[Mk23 Target Acquisition System]] (TAS)
* 1 [[AN/SPN-43]] Marshalling Air Traffic Control Radar
* 1 [[AN/SPN-35]] Air Traffic Control Radar
* 1 [[AN/URN-25]] [[Tactical air navigation system|TACAN]] system
* 1 [[AN/UPX-24]] Identification Friend Foe
| Ship EW = 
| Ship armament = * Two [[RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile]] launchers
* Two [[RIM-7 Sea Sparrow]] missile launchers
* Two 20&nbsp;mm [[Phalanx CIWS]] systems
* Three [[25 mm caliber|25 mm]] [[M242 Bushmaster#Naval|Mk 38]] [[chain gun]]s
* Four [[.50 BMG]] [[M2 Browning machine gun|machine guns]]
| Ship armor = 
| Ship aircraft = * ''Actual mix depended on the mission''
* '''Standard Complement (29-30):'''
* 6 [[AV-8B Harrier II]] [[Ground-attack aircraft|attack aircraft]]
* ''or''
* 6 [[F-35B Lightning II]] stealth strike-fighters
* 4 [[AH-1W]] [[AH-1Z|/Z]] [[AH-1W|Super Cobra]] [[AH-1Z|/Viper]] attack helicopters
* 12 [[MV-22B Osprey]] assault support tiltrotors
* 4 [[CH-53E Super Stallion]] heavy-lift helicopters
* 3–4 [[UH-1Y Venom]] utility helicopters
*'''Assault (22+):'''
* 22+ [[MV-22B Osprey]] assault support tiltrotors
* '''Sea Control (26):'''
* 20 [[AV-8B Harrier II]] [[Ground-attack aircraft|attack aircraft]]
* ''or''
*20 [[F-35B Lightning II]] stealth strike-fighters
* 6 [[SH-60 Seahawk#SH-60F "Oceanhawk"|SH-60F]]/[[SH-60 Seahawk#HH-60H "Rescue Hawk"|HH-60H]] [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] helicopters
| Ship aircraft facilities = 
}}
|}

'''USS ''Bonhomme Richard'' (LHD-6)''' was a {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship}} of the United States Navy commissioned on 15 August 1998. Like the previous five ''Wasp-''class ships, ''Bonhomme Richard'' was designed to embark, deploy, and land elements of a [[USMC|Marine Corps]] landing force in amphibious assault operations by [[helicopter]], landing craft, and amphibious vehicle, and, if needed, to act as a [[light aircraft carrier]].

LHD-6 was the third ship of the [[United States Navy]] to bear the name first given by [[John Paul Jones]] to his Continental Navy [[frigate]], named in French "Good Man Richard" in honor of [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Father]] [[Benjamin Franklin]], the publisher of ''[[Poor Richard's Almanack]]'' who at the time served as U.S. ambassador to France.<ref name="FAS">{{cite web|date=9 May 2000|title=LHD-1 ''Wasp'' class|url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/lhd-1.htm|access-date=8 April 2011|publisher=[[Federation of American Scientists]]}}</ref>

On 12 July 2020, a fire started on a lower vehicle-storage deck while the ship was undergoing maintenance at [[Naval Base San Diego]]. It took four days for firefighters to extinguish the fire, which injured at least 63 sailors and civilians and severely damaged the ship. After a lengthy investigation into the cause of the fire, a sailor was charged with [[arson]] but was acquitted at trial.<ref name="charged"/><ref name = acquitted/> Repairs to the ship were estimated to take up to seven years and cost up to $3.2 billion, so the ship was decommissioned on 15 April 2021 and sold for scrap.

==Construction==
[[File:USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) underway in the Gulf of Mexico, circa in early 1998 (NH 107664-KN).jpg|thumb|left|''Bonhomme Richard'' during builder's sea trials in early 1998.]]

[[Ingalls Shipbuilding]] received the contract to build the ship on 11 December 1992 and laid down her [[keel]] on 18 April 1995. She was [[ship naming and launching|launched]] on 14 March 1997, delivered to the Navy on 12 May 1998, and [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 15 August 1998.

===Cost===
The average cost of a ''Wasp''-class [[landing helicopter dock]] (LHD) ship was estimated to be $750 million in 1989<ref>{{cite web |title=Wasp-Class (Amphibious Assault Ship) |url=https://warriorlodge.com/pages/wasp-class-amphibious-assault-ship |website=Warriorlodge |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref>
(${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US-GDP|0.750|1989|r=1}}}}&nbsp;billion in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}})
whereas the program unit cost of an [[America-class amphibious assault ship|''America''-class LHA]] (landing helicopter assault) was expected to be about $3.3 billion in 2015<ref>{{cite book |last1=United States Government Accountability Office |title=Report to Congressional Committees March 2015 Defense Acquisitions: GAO-15-342SP Assessments of Major Weapon Programs |date=9 April 2015 |page=105 |url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/670/668986.pdf#page=113 |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref>
(${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US-GDP|3.3|2015|r=1}}}}&nbsp;billion in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}}).
In 2020, the cost of replacing the ship was estimated to be about $4 billion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vanden Brook |first1=Tom |title=USS Bonhomme Richard continues to burn Tuesday more than 48 hours after the fire broke out |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/07/14/uss-bonhomme-richard-burned-third-day-navy-reports-some-progress/5437070002/ |agency=USA Today |date=14 July 2020}}</ref>

==Ship's history==
===1998–2009===
''Bonhomme Richard'' departed her building yard, Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Litton Industries, [[Pascagoula, Mississippi]], on 8 August 1998, sailing into Pensacola Harbor at [[Naval Air Station Pensacola]] for commissioning activities and culminating with the main ceremony, which was held on 15 August 1998.

[[Congressman|U.S. Representative]] [[John P. Murtha]], of [[Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district|Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District]], delivered the principal commissioning address. Then [[Secretary of the Navy]], [[John H. Dalton]], placed the new ship in commission. Congressman Murtha's wife, Mrs. Joyce Murtha, served as [[Ship Sponsor]] and [[Ship christening|christened]] the ship at Ingalls in May 1997. During the commissioning, Mrs. Murtha gave the traditional order to "Man our ship and bring her to life!"

''Bonhomme Richard'' participated in several operations. From 24 January to 24 July 2000, the ship made the first Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment of any U.S. Navy ship in the 2000s as part of [[Operation Southern Watch]]. She deployed as part of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] from 1 December 2001 to 18 June 2002.
{{stack|[[File:Wasp-class Amphibious Assault Ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6).jpg|thumb|''Bonhomme Richard'' underway in the Pacific Ocean]]}}

Her next deployment was in support of [[2003 invasion of Iraq|Operation Iraqi Freedom]], beginning on 17 January 2003 and lasting until 26 July 2003. ''Bonhomme Richard'' played two significant roles in Operation Iraqi Freedom; first, she offloaded more than 1,000 Marines and gear from the [[1st Battalion 1st Marines|1st Battalion]], [[U.S. 1st Marine Regiment|1st Marines]] into [[Kuwait]]. Second, after delivering her attack and transport helicopters, troops, and vehicles, she took up a position just miles off the coast of Kuwait and became one of two light aircraft carriers, or "Harrier Carriers", along with {{USS|Bataan|LHD-5|6}} in the [[Persian Gulf]], launching [[AV-8B Harrier]] strike aircraft into Iraq. Pilots from [[VMA-211|Marine Attack Squadron 211]] (VMA-211) and [[VMA-311]], embarked aboard ''Bonhomme Richard'', expended more than {{convert|175000|lb|kg}} of ordnance, providing close air support to the Marines on the ground and during predetermined strikes in Iraq. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, ''Bonhomme Richard'' launched more than 800 sorties, including 547 combat launches.

''Bonhomme Richard'' sailed to [[Sri Lanka]] to provide support for relief efforts following the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]] and its subsequent [[tsunamis]]. On 4 January 2005, the ship helped airlift relief supplies to the coast of [[Sumatra, Indonesia]].<ref>{{cite web|title=USS Bonhomme Richard Positions More Than 200,000 Pounds of Disaster Relief Supplies |url=http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=16499 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050104211658/http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=16499 |archive-date=4 January 2005 }}</ref> ''Bonhomme Richard'' deployed in [[Operation Unified Assistance]] from 5 January 2005 to February 2005. Her helicopters flew supplies and medical personnel into various areas of Indonesia and evacuated the wounded.

The following July, ''Bonhomme Richard'' participated in [[RIMPAC]] 2006. From April 2007 to November 2007, she joined up with two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, {{USS|John C. Stennis|CVN-74|2}} and {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|2}} and their [[Carrier Strike Group]]s (CSG) off the coast of Iran to carry out previously unannounced air and sea exercises. In July 2008, the ship took part in RIMPAC 2008 off the coast of Hawaii.

From September 2009 to April 2010, ''Bonhomme Richard'' deployed to the [[United States Fifth Fleet|Fifth]] and [[United States Seventh Fleet|Seventh Fleet]] Areas of Operations (AoR). Ports of call include [[East Timor]]; [[Phuket (city)|Phuket]], Thailand; [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia; and [[Oahu]], Hawaii. In July, she participated in RIMPAC 2010 in the Kaulakahi Channel, between [[Kauai]] and [[Niihau]] Islands, Hawaii, near the [[Pacific Missile Range Facility]].

===2010–2020===
''Bonhomme Richard'' took the place of {{USS|Essex|LHD-2|6}} as the command ship for Expeditionary Strike Group Seven and switched homeport from [[San Diego]], California, to [[Sasebo, Japan]], on 23 April 2012.<ref name="STR">{{cite news|last=Burke|first=Matthew M.|date=23 April 2012|title=Navy crews swap ships during Sasebo ceremony|work=Stars and Stripes|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/navy/navy-crews-swap-ships-during-sasebo-ceremony-1.175288|access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref>

During the summer of 2013 ''Bonhomme Richard'' participated in [[Exercise Talisman Sabre|Exercise Talisman Sabre 2013]]. Maneuvers were performed off [[Queensland]], Australia, and in the [[Coral Sea]]. After the exercise, the ship sailed for Sydney, arriving on 16 August 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Revolutionary Gator Arrives in Sydney, Australia |url=http://navaltoday.com/2013/08/16/the-revolutionary-gator-arrives-in-sydney-australia/ |website=navaltoday.com |date=16 August 2013 |access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref>

Upon returning to her home port in [[Sasebo Japan]],  her [[Commanding officer]], Daniel Dusek was relieved of command for his alleged involvement in the [[Fat Leonard scandal]]. His [[Executive Officer]], M.J. Tynch, took command of the ship.

''Bonhomme Richard'' assisted in the air-sea rescue operation of the [[2014 South Korean ferry capsizing|capsized South Korean ferry]] MV ''Sewol'' with helicopters on 16 April 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/04/16/uss-bonhomme-richard-heads-to-capsized-south-korea-ferry.html?comp=700001075741&rank=3 |title=USS Bonhomme Richard Heads to Capsized Korea Ferry |publisher=military.com |date=16 April 2014 |last=Rowland |first=Ashley |work=Stars and Stripes |access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref>

''Bonhomme Richard'' participated in [[Exercise Talisman Saber 2017]] involving more than 33,000 Australian and U.S. troops in June 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.contactairlandandsea.com/2017/06/29/talisman-sabre-2017-opened/|title =Talisman Sabre 2017 officially opened in Sydney|date =29 June 2017}}</ref> Alongside ''Bonhomme Richard'', 20 other ships and over 200 aircraft took part in what was Australia's largest exercise to date.<ref>{{cite news|title=Australia, United States begin their biggest joint military exercise|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-usa-military-idUSKBN19K0ID|access-date=29 June 2017|work=Reuters|date=2017}}</ref> A week-long port call in Melbourne followed.

==== 2017 Osprey crash ====
On 5 August 2017, a U.S. Marine Corps [[MV-22 Osprey]] of [[VMM-265|Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265]] with the [[31st Marine Expeditionary Unit]] took off from ''Bonhomme Richard'' and then crashed in [[Shoalwater Bay]] on the east coast of Australia. Twenty-three personnel were rescued, while three died, their bodies being recovered about three weeks later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/us-military-helicopter-crashes-off-queensland-two-feared-dead/news-story/885fa149cbf29da4e02c18e07a0bfeb7 |title=US military helicopter crashes off Queensland; three feared dead |work=The Daily Telegraph|date=5 August 2017 |access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2017/08/11/31st-meu-holds-sunset-memorial-service-three-marines-killed-osprey-crash|title=31st MEU Holds Sunset Memorial Service for Three Marines Killed in Osprey Crash|publisher=usni.org|date=11 August 2017|access-date=9 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/bodies-of-3-marines-who-died-in-osprey-crash-have-been-recovered%3f_amp=true|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928181204/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/bodies-of-3-marines-who-died-in-osprey-crash-have-been-recovered?_amp=true|archive-date=28 September 2019|title=Bodies of 3 Marines who died in Osprey crash have been recovered|publisher=washingtonexaminer.com|date=25 August 2017|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref>

On 8 May 2018 ''Bonhomme Richard'' completed her homeport change to San Diego.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=105512 |title=USS Bonhomme Richard Arrives in San Diego, Completes Homeport Shift |publisher=navy.mil |date=9 May 2018 |access-date=13 May 2018 |archive-date=9 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509162422/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=105512 }}</ref>

=== July 2020 fire ===
{{multiple image |direction=vertical |align=left |title=July 2020 fire
 |image1=USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) on fire at San Diego, California (USA), on 12 July 2020 (200712-N-MJ716-0498).jpg |caption1=USS ''Bonhomme Richard'' on fire at Naval Base San Diego on 12 July 2020
 |image2=USS_Bonhomme_Richard_(LHD-6)_at_Naval_Base_San_Diego,_California_(USA),_on_16_July_2020_(200717-N-SS350-1031).JPG |caption2=Damaged ship on 16 July, after fires extinguished}}

Witnesses reported that an explosion occurred at about 8:50&nbsp;a.m. on 12 July 2020 aboard ''Bonhomme Richard'' while in her homeport at Naval Base San Diego undergoing maintenance. The resulting fire was fueled by paper, cloth, rags, or other materials, not fuel oil or other hazardous materials, [[Rear admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] Philip Sobeck, commander of [[Expeditionary Strike Group 3]], told reporters that evening.<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 July 2020|title=Fire still burning aboard Bonhomme Richard at San Diego Naval Base|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/military/story/2020-07-12/blaze-on-board-uss-bonhamme-richard-at-naval-base-san-diego|access-date=13 July 2020|website=San Diego Union-Tribune|language=en-US}}</ref> Since the ship was in maintenance, on-board fire-suppression systems had been disabled, delaying the onset of firefighting efforts, according to Admiral Sobeck.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 July 2020|title=Crews battle destructive fire on Navy ship for 3rd day|url=https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/crews-battle-destructive-navy-ship-fire-for-3rd-consecutive-day/|access-date=14 July 2020|website=fox5sandiego|language=en|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716235335/https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/crews-battle-destructive-navy-ship-fire-for-3rd-consecutive-day/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=14 July 2020|title=Warships in Maintenance Always Face Increased Risk for Fire Damage|url= https://news.usni.org/2020/07/13/warships-in-maintenance-always-face-increased-risk-for-fire-damage |access-date=14 July 2020|website=USNI News|language=en}}</ref> The fire was reported to have started in an area that is normally used to park military trucks while the ship is at sea, but where shipyard workers might have temporarily placed other items including combustible materials.<ref name = Schmitt>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/us/bonhomme-richard-arson-fire.html?campaign_id=49&emc=edit_ca_20200827&instance_id=21661&nl=california-today&regi_id=16153474&segment_id=37033&smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur&te=1&user_id=e9848bda5d7546386411f6e2fbdaf95e|title=Sailor Investigated for Arson After Burning of Navy Warship|last1=Schmitt|first1=Eric|last2=Ismay|first2=John|date=26 August 2020|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=27 August 2020}}</ref>

The day the fire erupted, seventeen sailors and four civilians were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries;<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 July 2020|title=USS Bonhomme Richard fire: 57 treated for injuries after fire erupts aboard Naval Base San Diego ship|url=https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/san-diego-fire-rescue-responds-to-fire-on-uss-bonhomme-richard|access-date=13 July 2020|website=KGTV|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pietsch |first1=Bryan |title=Fire Breaks Out on Ship at Naval Base in San Diego |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/12/us/naval-ship-fire-san-diego.html |access-date=12 July 2020 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 July 2020}}</ref> all but five were released by the morning of the next day, Navy officials said.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/13/us/uss-bonhomme-richard-fire-monday/index.html|title=Federal firefighters battling blaze on U.S. Navy ship that could last for days|last=Silverman|first=Hollie|date=13 July 2020|work=CNN|access-date=13 July 2020}}</ref> By 14 July, the number of injured had risen to 61, as more people were treated for minor injuries, including heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Roza|first=David|date=13 July 2020|title=Navy: 57 treated for injuries in USS Bonhomme Richard fire as blaze continues|work=Task & Purpose|url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/bonhomme-richard-fire-injuries|access-date=13 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Dyer|first=Andrew|date=14 July 2020|title=Navy says crew made progress on still burning ship fire|work=San Diego Union-Tribune|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/military/story/2020-07-14/navy-says-crew-made-progress-on-still-burning-ship-fire|access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>

On 16 July, five days after the explosion, the Navy announced that all fires had been extinguished.<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 July 2020|title=Navy officials say all known fires aboard USS Bonhomme Richard are out|url=https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/uss-bonhomme-richard-fire-personnel-at-scene-evacuated-due-to-ships-shifting?_ga=2.94038877.1101428819.1594679757-1035875029.1594422106|website=KGTV|language=en}}</ref> The minor injury total had risen to 63 total (40 sailors and 23 civilians).<ref name=USN16July20>{{cite web |url=https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=113524 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716173743/https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=113524 |archive-date=16 July 2020 |title=UPDATED 4:20 p.m. July 16, 2020: USS Bonhomme Richard Fire |date=16 July 2020 |publisher=Office of the Navy Chief of Information |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref> [[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]] [[Michael M. Gilday|Michael Gilday]], [[Chief of Naval Operations]], said the event was "a very, very serious incident" and that the Navy would address any systemic problems. He said the firefighting efforts had involved sailors from many ships and units in San Diego, including the helicopter squadron [[HSC-3]], which dropped water on the ship.<ref name="2020-07-22_DN">[https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/07/16/the-us-navys-top-officer-wants-answers-on-the-bonhomme-richard-fire/ US Navy's top officer reveals grim new details of the damage to Bonhomme Richard], David B. Larter, DefenseNews, 22 July 2020</ref> Eight sailors assigned to ''Bonhomme Richard'' were meritoriously promoted in rank on 31 July for their actions in fighting the fire.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bonhomme Richard Sailors Meritoriously Advanced for Shipboard Damage Control Efforts|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/376469/bonhomme-richard-sailors-meritoriously-advanced-shipboard-damage-control-efforts|access-date=8 September 2020|website=DVIDS|language=en}}</ref>

Fire and water damage were sustained on 11 of 14 decks.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Adm. Gilday: USS Bonhomme Richard damaged on 11 of its 14 decks; sailors faced explosions, blinding smoke|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/navy/adm-gilday-uss-bonhomme-richard-damaged-on-11-of-its-14-decks-sailors-faced-explosions-blinding-smoke-1.638582|access-date=18 August 2020|website=Stars and Stripes}}</ref> Sections of the flight deck and other decks were warped and bulging, while the island was nearly gutted.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bonhomme Richard fire damaged 11 of ship's 14 decks, Navy memo says|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/bonhomme-richard-fire-damaged-11-of-ships-14-decks-navy-memo-says/ar-BB177i6M|access-date=18 August 2020|website=www.msn.com}}</ref> The Navy removed the aft mast of the damaged ship to ensure it would not collapse.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 August 2020|title=Navy to Remove Aft Mast on USS Bonhomme Richard This Week in 'Abundance of Caution'|url=https://news.usni.org/2020/08/04/navy-to-remove-aft-mast-on-uss-bonhomme-richard-this-week-in-abundance-of-caution|access-date=8 August 2020|website=USNI News|language=en-US}}</ref>

====Investigations and charges====
On 26 August 2020, news outlets reported that a sailor from the ship was being investigated for arson, but no motive had been identified, and no one had been charged. The [[Naval Criminal Investigative Service]] (NCIS), along with other federal agencies, continued to investigate.<ref name = Schmitt/>

{{As of|2020|09}} three investigations were ongoing related to the fire. Two investigations were being conducted by [[Naval Sea Systems Command]]: The first was a failure review board investigation of safety issues relating to ship design and structure and how changes could prevent future fires from spreading through ships under similar circumstances; the second was a safety review related to the events and activities that occurred on the ship before the fire and their relation to existing navy policies and procedures; finally, an investigation into command issues was led by Vice Admiral Scott Conn, the commander of the 3rd Fleet.<ref name="usni09212020">{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/09/21/cleanup-on-uss-bonhomme-richard-continues-as-ships-fate-remains-unclear |title=Cleanup on USS Bonhomme Richard Continues as Ship's Fate Remains Unclear |newspaper=USNI News |date=21 September 2020 |author=Megan Eckstein |access-date= 22 September 2020}}</ref> Fire-suppression foam could have been released, but was not, because of a lack of training.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=The Associated Press|date=2021-10-19|title=The Navy finds major failures starting with top officers in a devastating ship fire|language=en|work=NPR News|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/10/19/1047428110/the-navy-finds-major-failures-starting-with-top-officers-in-a-devastating-ship-f|access-date=2021-10-20}}</ref><ref name= trainingIssue>Ryan Pickrell [https://www.yahoo.com/news/2-billion-us-navy-warship-180240636.html (21 Oct 2021)  A $2 billion US Navy warship went up in flames in part because sailors failed to press a button, investigation finds]</ref>

On 29 July 2021, an unnamed sailor was charged by the NCIS with aggravated arson under Article 126 of the [[Uniform Code of Military Justice]] (UCMJ) and hazarding a vessel under Article 110 of the UCMJ. The sailor was the same unnamed suspect questioned in August 2020 by NCIS and other federal law enforcement agencies and was identified as [[Seaman Apprentice]] Ryan Sawyer Mays in an affidavit unsealed in August 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2021/08/09/the-uss-bonhomme-richard-is-gone-experts-say-that-could-benefit-the-sailor-accused-of-torching-it/|title=The USS Bonhomme Richard is gone. Experts say that could benefit the sailor accused of torching it.|author=Geoff Ziezulewicz|date=9 August 2021|work=Navy Times}}</ref> The next step in the process was an [[Article 32 hearing]], the United States military equivalent of a [[preliminary hearing]], to determine whether the case was strong enough to proceed to a [[court-martial]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2021/07/29/navy-charges-bonhomme-richard-sailor-in-devastating-2020-fire-of-amphibious-assault-ship|title=Navy Charges Sailor with Arson, Hazarding a Vessel in 2020 Fire of Bonhomme Richard|publisher=news.usni.org|date=29 July 2021|access-date=29 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="charged">{{cite news |title=US sailor charged over massive USS Bonhomme warship blaze in 2020 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-58021390 |work=BBC News |date=30 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Casiano|first=Louis|date=2021-07-29|title=Navy charges sailor in connection with USS Bonhomme Richard fire that destroyed warship|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/navy-charges-sailor-bonhomme-richard-fire|access-date=2021-07-30|website=Fox News|language=en-US}}</ref>

A Navy report published in 2021 lists numerous deficiencies in leadership, firefighting training, and equipment that contributed to the loss of the ship. In his 3 August endorsement of the report, [[United States Pacific Fleet]] commanding admiral [[Samuel Paparo]] characterized the crew as "unprepared" and their training and readiness as "deficient" while calling out "a lack of familiarity with requirements and procedural noncompliance at all levels of command." Navy fire safety protocols enacted after the 2012 loss of attack submarine {{USS|Miami|SSN-755|6}} in a similar fire were not followed, and ''Bonhomme Richard''{{'s}} [[commanding officer#Navy_and_Coast_Guard|captain]], [[Executive officer#United States Navy and United States Coast Guard|executive officer]], [[command master chief]], and [[chief engineer]] were criticized for leadership failures that "directly led to the loss" of the ship.

The report emphasized poor communication and coordination between sailors and officers on the ship, firefighting teams on the naval base, teams assembled on nearby destroyers, and civilian firefighters. When the smoke was first noticed, sailors aboard ''Bonhomme Richard'' failed to promptly and accurately locate and report its source, partially because some sailors did not don firefighting attire and breathing equipment because they mistakenly believed that it could not be worn with their [[Navy Working Uniform|working uniforms]]. Firefighting hoses and fittings on the ship were broken or missing, and numerous hatches could not be closed to contain the blaze because temporary utility lines routed through them for maintenance work could not be easily disconnected.<ref>{{cite news | title=Long Chain of Failures Left Sailors Unprepared to Fight USS Bonhomme Richard Fire, Investigation Finds | website=USNI News | date=October 19, 2021 | url=https://news.usni.org/2021/10/19/long-chain-of-failures-left-sailors-unprepared-to-fight-uss-bonhomme-richard-investigation-finds | access-date=November 8, 2021 |quote="The training and readiness of the ship's crew were deficient. They were unprepared to respond. Integration between the ship and supporting shore-based firefighting organizations was inadequate," wrote Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Samuel Paparo in his Aug. 3 endorsement of the investigation. "There was an absence of effective oversight that should have identified the accumulated risk, and taken independent action to ensure readiness to fight a fire. Common to the failures evident in each of these broad categories was a lack of familiarity with requirements and procedural noncompliance at all levels of command."}}</ref>

[[File:Damage control efforts continue on USS Bonhomme Richard LHD-6 (200716-N-SS350-1010).jpg|thumb|Damage of the [[superstructure]] of the ship after the fire.]]

On 16 July 2022, the Navy issued a letter of censure to retired vice admiral Richard Brown, commander of Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, at the time of the fire. The letter said that he had failed "to effectively ensure appropriate levels of training and readiness in units under your command". In response, Brown complained that the Navy "has abandoned me for political expediency". The Navy later issued [[letter of reprimand|letters of reprimand]] to other officers, including Captains Gregory Thoroman and Michael Ray, the former commanding officer and [[executive officer]], and command master chief Jose Hernandez, the senior enlisted sailor aboard, for inadequate training, improper oversight and a failure to properly maintain equipment, all of which had led to the fire being as destructive as it was. The two officers also forfeited pay; they were among 20 sailors punished over the fire.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofsandiego.com/military/2022/07/15/navy-secretary-censures-retired-admiral-punishes-other-officers-for-uss-bonhomme-richard-fire/|title=Navy Secretary Censures Retired Admiral, Punishes Other Officers for USS Bonhomme Richard Fire|last=Ireland|first=Elizabeth|date=July 16, 2022|work=The Times of San Diego|access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Vander Ploeg|first=Luke|title=Navy Punishes More Than 20 Sailors Over Fire on the Bonhomme Richard|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/18/us/navy-bonhomme-richard-fire-punishment.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 18, 2022|access-date=July 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| last = Ziezulewicz| first = Geoff| title = 36 officials, including five admirals, face potential discipline over Bonhomme Richard fire| work = Navy Times| access-date = 2023-06-26| date = 2021-10-20| url = https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2021/10/20/36-officials-including-five-admirals-face-potential-discipline-over-bonhomme-richard-fire/}}</ref>

A view from general shipping.<ref name="GeneralShipping">{{cite web |title=What's Going on With shipping |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7SSdlyW8dQ |website=What's Going on With shipping |publisher=What's Going on With shipping |access-date=26 October 2025}}</ref>

====Trial of the accused====
After an article 32 hearing, a trial date of 19 to 30 September 2022 was set for Mays, who, according to his civilian defense attorney Gary Barthel, continued to maintain his innocence of charges of aggravated arson and willful hazarding of a vessel. Barthel claimed that the legal officer who oversaw the article 32 hearing recommended to the head of the San Diego–based command, Vice Adm. Steve Koehler, that "the case not go to court-martial, and that the Navy is scapegoating Mays due to the high-profile nature of the ''Bonhomme Richard'' disaster."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ziezulewicz |first=Geoff |date=2022-03-31 |title=Sailor charged in catastrophic Bonhomme Richard fire has trial date set |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2022/03/31/sailor-charged-in-catastrophic-bonhomme-richard-fire-has-trial-date-set/ |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Navy Times |language=en}}</ref>

Before the article 32 hearing, the accused sailor's attorney stated that the portrayal of his client had been unfair and that he looked forward to proving that his client is innocent. Dozens of Navy officials, including several admirals, "have faced disciplinary action for failures that investigators said prevented the blaze from being put out sooner." He said that there is "evidence that the fire was started because of negligence and the improper storage of lithium batteries close to crates of hand sanitizer."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Attorney for Ky. sailor charged with setting Navy ship fire says portrayal of client hasn't been fair |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/attorney-for-ky-sailor-charged-with-setting-navy-ship-fire-says-portrayal-of-client-hasn-e2-80-99t-been-fair/ar-AAUFexj |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=MSN |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 19 September 2022, Mays's trial began at Naval Base San Diego.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofsandiego.com/military/2022/09/19/trial-begins-for-sailor-accused-of-arson-in-fire-destroying-uss-bonhomme-richard/|title=Trial Begins for Sailor Accused of Arson in Fire Destroying USS Bonhomme Richard|date=September 19, 2022|work=City News Service|publisher=Times of San Diego|access-date=19 September 2022}}</ref> On 30 September after a two-week trial, a military judge acquitted Mays on both charges (arson and willful hazarding of a vessel).<ref name = acquitted>{{cite news|url=https://timesofsandiego.com/military/2022/09/30/military-judge-acquits-sailor-accused-of-arson-in-uss-bonhomme-richard-fire/|title=Military Judge Acquits Sailor Accused of Arson in USS Bonhomme Richard Fire|date=September 30, 2022|work=City News Service|publisher=The Times of San Diego|access-date=30 September 2022}}</ref>

===Disposal===
On 30 November 2020, Navy officials said that attempting to repair the damage and return ''Bonhomme Richard'' to service would take between five and seven years and cost an estimated $2.5 billion to $3.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Flores|first=Jessica|date=30 November 2020|title=Navy will decommission, scrap USS Bonhomme Richard, the warship that burned for days off San Diego this summer|language=en-US|website=[[USA Today]]|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/11/30/navy-uss-bonhomme-richard-ravaged-fire-scrapped/6472376002/|access-date=1 December 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Browne|first=Ryan|date=30 November 2020|title=Navy to de-commission and scrap warship USS Bonhomme Richard after major fire|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/30/politics/navy-uss-bonhomme-scrap/index.html|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Instead, the decision was made to withdraw the ship from service and, following extensive component recovery, have her sold for scrap.<ref name="scrap_richard">{{cite news|last1=Vigdor|first1=Neil|date=30 November 2020|title=Navy Won't Repair Fire-Damaged Warship, Saying It Would Cost Billions|newspaper=[[New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/30/us/navy-warship-decommissioned.html?action=click&module=Latest&pgtype=Homepage|quote=The U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard will instead be decommissioned and some of its spare parts will be used in other naval vessels, officials said.}}</ref> In February 2021, a bipartisan group of [[United States Congress|congressional]] delegates from [[Florida]] proposed that the hulk be sunk off the coast of Florida as an [[artificial reef]], arguing that the reef would become an environmental and economic benefit to the area.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/florida-lawmakers-uss-bonhomme-richard-artificial-reef/67-5f09b8de-bb59-4745-a699-b20e0375f4ae|title=Instead of scrapping the USS Bonhomme Richard, Florida lawmakers want it for a reef|last=Krietz|first=Andrew|date=23 February 2021|work= WTSP 10 Tampa Bay|access-date=7 March 2021}}</ref> After a decommissioning ceremony on 14 April 2021, she was officially decommissioned on 15 April.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Eckstein|first=Megan|date=2021-04-14|title=Video: Navy Decommissions USS Bonhomme Richard In San Diego Waterfront Ceremony|url= https://news.usni.org/2021/04/14/video-navy-decommissions-uss-bonhomme-richard-in-san-diego-waterfront-ceremony|access-date=2021-04-14|website=USNI News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Webcast - Decommissioning of Bonhomme Richard|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/25814|access-date=2021-04-03|website=DVIDS|language=en|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414022340/https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/25814}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burgess|first=Richard R.|date=2021-02-17|title= Navy Details Revised 2021 Ship Decommissioning Schedule|url=https://seapowermagazine.org/navy-details-revised-2021-ship-decommissioning-schedule/|access-date=2021-04-03|website=Seapower|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url={{Naval Vessel Register URL|LHD-6}} |title=''Bonhomme Richard'' (LHD-6) |website=Naval Vessel Register}}</ref> The same day, the hull was towed from San Diego, heading for a scrap yard in Texas.<ref name = towed>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-15|title=Former USS Bonhomme Richard Towed from San Diego Ahead of Scrapping |url= https://news.usni.org/2021/04/15/former-uss-bonhomme-richard-towed-from-san-diego-ahead-of-scrapping|access-date=2021-04-16|website=USNI News|language=en-US}}</ref> On 9 April 2021, International Shipbreaking Ltd. of [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]], [[Texas]], purchased the ex-''Bonhomme Richard'' for $3.66 million for breaking and recycling.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://news.usni.org/2021/05/05/bonhomme-richard-wreck-reaches-panama-texas-shipbreaker-buys-hull-for-3-66m |title=Bonhomme Richard Wreck Reaches Panama; Texas Shipbreaker Buys Hull for $3.66M|date=5 May 2021|website=USNI News}}</ref>

The Marine Corps—in conjunction with International Ship Breaking Limited, Naval Sea Systems Command, Weapons Training Battalion and Method of Entry School (MOES)—salvaged 44 hatches and 2 hull sections, which will be used to teach Marines special procedures for breaching watertight doors during visit, [[Naval boarding|board]], search, and seizure (VBSS) operations. It is estimated that the service saved over $100,000 by salvaging these parts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marines innovate to keep USS Bonhomme Richard in the fight |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/430582/marines-innovate-keep-uss-bonhomme-richard-fight |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=DVIDS |language=en}}</ref>

== Ship awards ==
List of awards the ship received during her time in service:<ref name="awards1">{{cite web|url=http://www.navsource.net/archives/10/08/0806.htm|title=USS Bonhomme Richard LHD-6|website=NavSource|date=30 September 2022|access-date=14 January 2023}}</ref>
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 1st award.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Humanitarian Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|}
{|class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; margin-bottom: -1px;"
|-
|[[Navy Unit Commendation]]
|[[Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]]
|[[Battle Effectiveness Award]]
|-
|[[National Defense Service Medal]]
|[[Humanitarian Service Medal]]
|[[Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal]]<br />with one [[Award star]]
|}

Among other [[Unit award|unit awards]], ''Bonhomme Richard'' was awarded the Navy [[Battle E|Battle "E"]] eight times.<ref name="awards1" />

==See also==
*[[USS Miami (SSN-755)#2012 fire|2012 USS ''Miami'' (SSN-755) fire]], a civilian worker was convicted of arson.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyette |first=Chris |date=2013-03-16 |title=Shipyard worker sentenced to 17 years for $400 million submarine fire |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/15/justice/maine-submarine-arson-sentence/index.html |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
* {{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b8/bon-homme-richard-iii.htm}}

== Further reading ==
*[https://www.secnav.navy.mil/foia/readingroom/HotTopics/BHR%20and%20MFR%20Investigations/For%20Release%20BHR%20Command%20Investigation%20(20%20Oct%2021).pdf Command Investigation into the Fire Aboard USS Bonhomme Richard]
*[https://www.secnav.navy.mil/foia/readingroom/HotTopics/BHR%20and%20MFR%20Investigations/For%20Release%20Major%20Fires%20Review%20(19%20Oct%2021).pdf Major Fires Review (19 Oct 21)]

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/amphibious_assault_ships/bonhomme_richard_lhd_6/uss_bonhomme_richard_lhd_6.htm Maritimequest USS ''Bonhomme Richard'' LHD-6 Photo Gallery]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051201070603/http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=6134 'Harrier Carrier' On Station, Ready for Call to Action]
* [http://www.uscarriers.net/lhd6history.htm USS ''Bonhomme Richard'' history at U.S. Carriers]
YouTube videos by shipping and firefighting expert Sal Mercogliano on the response to the USS ''Bonhomme Richard'' fire:

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyMLckaPEkM Bonhomme Richard Fire Investigation: Part 1 - The Timeline | What's Going on With Shipping?]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ckGi_RmZCA Bonhomme Richard Fire Investigation: Part 2 - Analysis, Commentary & FIREBOATS!]
* [https://www.youtube.com/c/WhatisGoingonWithShippingwSalMercogliano/search?query=bonhomme%20richard Other videos from the "What is Going on With Shipping?" channel on the subject USS Bonhomme Richard fire]

{{Wasp class amphibious assault ship}}
{{2020 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6)}}
[[Category:Wasp-class amphibious assault ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Pascagoula, Mississippi]]
[[Category:1997 ships]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2020]]
[[Category:Non-combat naval accidents of the United States]]
[[Category:Ship fires]]
[[Category:2020 fires in the United States]]
[[Category:Aircraft carrier fires]]