Expeditionary Strike Group 3

Navy Releases Admiral’s Mast Results from Bonhomme Richard Fire

Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department boats combat a fire on board USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) at Naval Base San Diego on July 12, 2020. US Navy Photo

U.S. Pacific Fleet has released the results of an admiral’s masts held last year for the former leadership and crew members of amphibious warship Bonhomme Richard.

Former Bonhomme Richard commander Capt. Gregory Thoroman, executive officer Capt. Michael Ray and the ship’s senior enlisted sailor, Command Master Chief Jose Hernandez, were all...

https://news.usni.org/2022/11/16/navy-releases-admirals-mast-results-from-bonhomme-richard-fire

Government, Defense to Make Closing Arguments in Bonhomme Richard Arson Case

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) sits pier side at Naval Base San Diego on July 16, 2020. US Navy Photo

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Through two days of testimony, defense attorneys sought to disarm the government’s case against a young sailor accused of setting a fire that led to the destruction of an amphibious warship in 2020.

The attorneys called on over a dozen witnesses to refute the Navy’s contention that Seaman Recruit Ryan Sawyer Mays deliberately set a fire inside the former USS Bonhomme...

https://news.usni.org/2022/09/29/government-defense-to-make-closing-arguments-in-bonhomme-richard-arson-case

Defense Begins for Accused Bonhomme Richard Arsonist

An MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter from the ‘Merlins’ of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3 and fire boats assist in US Bonhomme RIchard firefighting efforts on July 13, 2020. US Navy Photo

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The government’s prosecution against a young sailor accused of arson, which ultimately destroyed an amphibious warship in 2020, centers on one shipmate’s claim he saw that sailor where the fire started shortly before it was reported.

That’s the picture Navy prosecutors painted...

https://news.usni.org/2022/09/26/defense-begins-for-accused-bonhomme-richard-arsonist

Trial Begins for Alleged Bonhomme Richard Arsonist

An MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter from the Merlins of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3 provides aerial firefighting support to fight the fire aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) on July 14, 2020. US Navy Photo

NAVAL BASE, SAN DIEGO, Calif. – To military prosecutors, the fire that led to a 2020 conflagration that destroyed a multi-billion dollar amphibious warship was “a mischievous act of defiance” by a young sailor angry that he dropped from Navy SEAL training.

Bu...

https://news.usni.org/2022/09/19/trial-begins-for-alleged-bonhomme-richard-arsonist

Attorneys Argue Over Graffiti Confessions, Alternative Suspects in Bonhomme Richard Fire Criminal Hearing

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) sits pier side at Naval Base San Diego on July 16, 2020. US Navy Photo

NAVAL STATION SAN DIEGO, Calif. – While firefighting crews and sailors massed at Naval Base San Diego’s Pier 2 to attack a fire spreading across former USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), a small fire scorched a mattress on another amphibious assault warship berthed a mile away.

That fire, on a rack in troop berthing aboard Wasp-class USS Essex (LHD-2), was extinguished by a petty officer, leaving the...

https://news.usni.org/2022/08/19/attorneys-argue-over-graffiti-confessions-alternative-suspects-in-bonhomme-richard-fire-criminal-hearing

Study on Navy’s Waterborne Firefighting Capability After Bonhomme Richard Loss

The following is the March 2022 Navy study, requested by Congress as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, if the service needs to purchase additional fireboats following the loss of USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6).

From the report

The HASC Report to accompany the FY2022 NDAA (117-118) – NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 directs the Secretary of the Navy to prepare a brief to the House Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2022 that details the...

https://news.usni.org/2022/04/19/study-on-navys-waterborne-firefighting-capability-after-bonhomme-richard-loss

Sailor Arraigned on Arson, Hazarding Vessel Charges in Bonhomme Richard Fire

A MH-60S from HSC 3 dropping water on USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) on July 15, 2020. US Navy Photo

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, Calif. – A junior sailor was arraigned Thursday on charges that he deliberately set a fire aboard USS Bonhomme Richard in 2020, the alleged act that led to the Navy’s decision to scrap the big-deck amphibious ship.

Seaman Recruit Ryan Mays didn’t enter a plea on the charges when he appeared in a Navy courtroom for the half-hour proceeding before Capt. Ryan Stormer, the military...

https://news.usni.org/2022/03/10/sailor-arraigned-on-arson-hazarding-vessel-charges-in-bonhomme-richard-fire

Navy to Court-Martial Sailor Accused of Arson in 2020 Bonhomme Richard Fire; Hearing Officer Advised No Trial, Says Attorney

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) sits pier side at Naval Base San Diego on July 16, 2020. US Navy Photo

A junior sailor will be tried at a general court-martial on charges that he intentionally started a fire that grew into a raging blaze in 2020 that burned the former USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) for days, the Navy announced Friday.

The U.S. 3rd Fleet commander, Vice Adm. Stephen Koehler, on Wednesday formally referred two charges – of arson and hazarding a vehicle – against Seaman Recruit Ryan Mays...

https://news.usni.org/2022/02/25/navy-to-court-martial-sailor-accused-of-arson-in-2020-bonhomme-richard-fire-hearing-officer-advised-no-trial-says-attorney

Witness’ Identification of Sailor Accused in Bonhomme Richard Fire Comes Under Scrutiny

Sailors and Federal San Diego Firefighters equip gear before providing firefighting assistance aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) on the morning of July 13, 2020. US Navy Photo

SAN DIEGO – One petty officer’s accusation against a shipmate is at the center of the Navy’s criminal case against the junior sailor charged with deliberately lighting a fire last year that caused the service to scrap the former USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6).

Personnel Specialist Third Class Kenji Velasco told a military...

https://news.usni.org/2021/12/15/witness-identification-of-sailor-accused-in-bonhomme-richard-fire-comes-under-scrutiny

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