The Source for Navy News

First Time on Navy Ship; Army National Guard Unit's CO Visits Rushmore
Story Number: NNS100205-19
2/5/2010

By Ensign Alanna Strei, USS Rushmore Public Affairs

USS RUSHMORE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Rushmore (LSD 47) welcomed the commanding officer of an Army National Guard unit based out of Cheyenne, Wyo., Feb. 2; it was the leader's first time aboard a Navy warship.

"The technology is astounding. It's a lot more than I imagined," said Col. Richard Knowlton, commanding officer of the 115th Fires Brigade. Knowlton visited Rushmore at the conclusion of a bilateral training exercise the ship conducted in the Persian Gulf with embarked Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

Knowlton observed firsthand the various mission capabilities a strong partnership between the Navy and Marine Corps offers. He traveled from the beach to the ship on a landing craft air cushion attached to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5.

"This is an example of separate missions in support of a common goal," said Knowlton, as he watched Rushmore's landing craft deliver MEU equipment from the beach during an amphibious backload.

Knowlton was accompanied by Lt. Col. Deann Vogel, his executive officer and Lt. Col. Harold Walker, deputy commander. Knowlton and his staff toured Rushmore's boat deck, bridge and bridge wings, stopping along the way to take photos and interact with the crew.

"No matter where you go, you can always find someone from home. I met two people from Wyoming," Knowlton said. One of those individuals, Ensign Darray Hunt, was standing watch when Knowlton arrived.

"I was standing watch as junior officer of the deck," said Hunt. "When I realized our visitors were attached to the Wyoming Army National Guard, I was ecstatic. It is comforting to know that the world is indeed a small place. Seeing them was like seeing a little piece of home."

The brigade is currently deployed to the Central Command Area of Responsibility, providing support for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit is made up of National Guard members from Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, Minnesota and Alabama.

Rushmore is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 11th MEU, currently conducting Maritime Security Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations.

The ARG also consists of the command element, Amphibious Squadron 7; the command platform, amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6); amphibious transport dock USS Cleveland (LPD 7); Tactical Air Control Squadron 12, Detachment 1; Helicopter Sea Combat 23, Detachment 3; ACU 1, Detachment B; ACU 5, Detachment F; Beachmaster Unit 1, Det. B; and Fleet Surgical Team 9.

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Squadron 7, visit