An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  

Bonhomme Richard Departs Melbourne, Australia

05 September 2017

From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cameron McCulloch

MELBOURNE, Australia (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) departed Melbourne, Australia, Sept. 3, concluding a scheduled six-day port visit.

Melbourne is Bonhomme Richard's third Australian port visit during the current routine deployment as part of the U.S. - Australian biennial, bilateral exercise Talisman Saber 2017 (TS17), following visits to Sydney and Brisbane.

"The people of Australia, military and civilian, have made us feel welcome throughout the entirety of this deployment in every port we entered", said Capt. Larry McCullen, commanding officer of Bonhomme Richard. "We will always cherish the relationships that we have established and the bonds that have been strengthened during our time here in Australia. It has been a truly positive experience working with one of our greatest and long-standing allies."

While visiting Melbourne, Bonhomme Richard Sailors and Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) had the chance to experience the local area through tours organized by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), as well as volunteer their time through command-organized community relations (COMREL) projects.

One Sailor, Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Eddie Garcia said he explored the local scenery of Philip Island through an MWR tour that included a visit to a wildlife park, a local chocolate factory and an up-close viewing of the daily Philip Island Penguin Parade, in which hundreds of little penguins emerged from the sea after sunset to find their shelters along the coastline.

"It was a fun, very entertaining and well-planned tour," said Garcia. "The people of Australia were very friendly and very interactive. The ship might not be back any time soon, but I sure will. Australia was definitely an adventure for all of us."

The port visit followed the completion of TS17, which united 33,000 U.S. and Australian personnel to strengthen the U.S. - Australian alliance by building on partnerships, interoperability and the ability to respond to contingencies in the region.

Bonhomme Richard, flagship of the Bonhome Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, is operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to enhance partnerships and be a ready-response force for any type of contingency.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                      

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
New Korea Rotational Force announced
Feb. 15, 2025 - The U.S. Army last month announced that the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, will replace 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, as part of a regular rotation of forces to support the...

USS Howard Conducts Port Visit in Otaru, Japan
Feb. 14, 2025 - OTARU, Japan (Feb. 11, 2025) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) concluded a port visit in Otaru, Japan, Feb 11...

3rd MLG to Support Multiple US/ROK Military Exercises
Feb. 14, 2025 - Hundreds of U.S. and Republic of Korea Marines are set to launch a nearly two-month series of bilateral training exercises across the South Korean Peninsula from February to April 2025...

USINDOPACOM Commander addresses Honolulu Defense Forum
Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivers opening remarks during the Honolulu Defense Forum at the Alohilani Resort in Honolulu on Feb. 13, 2025. The forum focuses on leveraging geography, private-public partnerships, and the power of alliances and partnerships to strengthen resilience and enhance deterrence. USINDOPACOM’s primary mission is the protection and defense of the homeland of the U.S., its people and its interests, by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Angel Heraldez)
Feb. 14, 2025 - Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivered the keynote address at the Honolulu Defense Forum in Waikiki, Hawaii, Feb. 13, 2025...

Breaking the Ice, Breaking up Ground: III MSB Marines conduct joint training event with Army 11th Engineer Battalion Soldiers
Feb. 14, 2025 - Early on the morning of February 6, 2025, the Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III MEF Information Group joined Soldiers from 63rd Clearance Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division...
Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon