San Diego - July 2020: A helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3 combats a fire aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). On the morning of July 12, a fire was called away aboard the ship while it was moored pierside. Base and shipboard firefighters responded to the fire. Bonhomme Richard was going through a maintenance availability, which began in 2018. (Navy photo by MCS 3rd Class Garrett LaBarge)
By: FEDweek StaffThe Navy has punished a host of officers and sailors – including three who hold flag rank – for their roles in the July 2020 fire that essentially rendered the amphibious assault ship Bon Homme Richard unusable.
The disciplinary action focused on the ship’s fire prevention, readiness and response to the calamity.
Two former captains, the commanding and executive officers at the time of the fire received punitive letters of reprimand. Another such letter was issued to the former Command Master Chief, the ship’s senior enlisted. Two rear admirals (director of fleet maintenance for the Pacific, and a commander in the Navy Regional Maintenance Center) received Letters of Instruction.
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro issued a secretarial letter of censure to retired Vice Adm. Richard Brown, who was commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet at the time.
“When leaders’ actions or inactions result in the loss of life or capital resources, the senior leadership of the Department of the Navy has a responsibility to determine the root cause and hold those accountable,” Del Toro wrote in a June 2 message. “This fire could have been prevented with adequate oversight into the ship’s material condition and the crew’s readiness to combat a fire.”
Other crew members received non-judicial punishments, LOIs, and non-punitive letters of caution.
These disciplinary actions are separate from the criminal investigation into the actions of Seaman Apprentice Ryan Mays, who stands accused of starting the fire that destroyed the ship.
The Navy has since instituted an initiative – Get Real, Get Better – aimed at implementing key lessons learned and assessing the effectiveness of corrective actions.
A helicopter combats a fire aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego.
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