LHD 8 Sailors 'Makin' it happen
by MC1(SW/AW) Ryan Tabios
USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- Almost 100 Sailors from Pre-commissioning Unit (PCU) Makin Island (MKI) (LHD 8) embarked USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) June 16 for Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008, and with them they bring a "gung ho" attitude, evident as they experience life at sea Revolutionary Gator style.

"Any underway time we can get is beneficial," said Lt. j.g. Christopher Gomez.

"Understanding the daily routine by knowing what is expected of each and every person aboard is what makes a vessel this size operate, the experience and knowledge we gain underway is what being a Sailor is all about."

Of the 97 Sailors, 60 are experiencing their first underway time.

"I was scared to death," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling Nicole Woodrum. "I have never been on a ship, and I heard stories, but it's not bad at all. Everyone's been accommodating. The food's not that bad; I love the desserts."

While aboard, LHD 8 Sailors have taken this opportunity to train and familiarize themselves with the daily operations of their perspective ratings and life at sea.

"It is essential that MKI Sailors get underway time prior to our delivery to ensure we are a highly qualified full rounded warship that will support the needs of the Navy," said Gomez. "We have been using this time to work on warfare qualifications, qualify for watches and 3M training.

"The majority of this invaluable training is not available in schools and can only be received by [on the job training]. Taking our experiences from BHR and passing it along to Makin Island will help us transition to the Navy lifestyle and qualify our personnel for immediate operational readiness."

For some Sailors, their first week and a half aboard BHR has been eventful, and they look forward to experiencing the high up-tempo RIMPAC 2008 will bring.

"Everyone has been nice, respectful and helpful with the things we need to know," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling Airman Recruit Victor Dumancela. "The best thing so far, that I have seen, was the [replenishment at sea] with the Yukon."

"I have enjoyed the freedom to move around the ship and most especially the scenery," said Woodrum. "I look forward to witnessing what RIMPAC is all about during the upcoming weeks. It will be exciting and a whole lot of fun."

Makin Island is currently under construction at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula, Miss. She will be the final ship built in the LHD Wasp-class, but the first of the class built with Gas Turbine Engines and Electric Drive. Steam will not be used on board the ship for heating or water production as in previous LHD class ships.

Other significant changes from previous LHD-class ships include watermist fire suppression systems; a fiber-optic machinery control system, which is also integrated with the damage control systems; the SPQ-9B radar; and cooperative engagement capability (CEC). She will be homeported in San Diego and is scheduled to be delivered to the United States Navy in Spring 2009.