Sailors stationed aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) are training daily to improve their damage control efforts in preparation for a Mobility Damage Control Warfare (MOB-D) assessment for certification.

The ship's multiple-stage certification assessment, which began in July, included a comprehensive review of the material readiness of damage control equipment, shipboard training in damage control (DC) fundamentals and Sailor level of knowledge in DC tactics, techniques and procedures.

"So far, we have completed MOB-D levels 1.1 and 1.2," said Chief Damage Controlman Michael Vega. "The upcoming 1.3 and 1.4 levels will test the crew's ability to assess a situation and know what call to make to effectively combat the casualty. We've been running routine drills to keep the Sailors' skills sharp."

At the beginning of deployment, Sailors assigned to Afloat Training Group Pacific (ATGPAC) visited Bonhomme Richard to provide the 1.1 and 1.2 training levels of MOB-D to the crew on fire hose handling, pipe patching and dewatering.

"We pushed nearly 1,200 Sailors through the ATG training in about a week," said Vega. "For some of the Sailors, that was the first time they've seen the different types of pipe patching or how to dewater a space using a Peri-jet. By furthering their knowledge and understanding of the equipment, they will have more confidence in knowing how the equipment is used if they were to need it."

The crew will also be taking a level of knowledge (LOK) exam to test their knowledge of proper DC procedures, DC equipment and casualty types.

"Right now, most of the crew is taking practice exams for the actual LOK," said Vega. "We want them to be confident in their knowledge for the graded exam."

Prior to deployment, the ship used other resources in port to increase the level of experience and training.

"Our Sailors are mostly qualified basic damage control," said Vega. "When Sailors report to the ship, regardless if they're fresh from boot camp, 'A' school, or a fleet Sailor, we try to get them through some type of advanced damage control training in Sasebo or the training facility in Yokosuka. That training puts them into a controlled environment, giving them an idea of what it would be like fighting a fire."

Bonhomme Richard, flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The Bonhomme Richard ESG consists of USS Bonhomme Richard, USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and USS Germantown (LSD 42).

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