New details emerge about the 2020 Bonhomme Richard fire, ahead of censure of three-star
The initial response to the July 2020 fire that destroyed the multibillion-dollar amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard was uncoordinated and hampered by confusion as to which admiral should cobble together Navy and civilian firefighters, according to new information from the then-head of Naval Surface Forces.
The discombobulation in those early hours meant sailors may have missed a small window to contain the fire in a storage area. One admiral who said he lacked authority to issue an order pleaded with the ship’s commanding officer to get back on the ship and fight the fire, when the CO and his crew were waiting on the pier. And when that admiral — now-retired Vice Adm. Rich Brown — found the situation so dire that he called on other another command to intervene, it refused, Brown said in an interview.
Brown, who led Naval Surface Forces and Naval Surface Force Pacific from January 2018 to August 2020, told Defense News in June he set up an ad hoc chain of command to coordinate trying to save the ship that Sunday morning, after seeing lower-level leaders struggle to communicate or to fight the fire aggressively. The move came after the fleet’s operational chain of command declined to step in due to confusion over who had control over the ship.
An investigation into the fire, released in October 2021, outlined several failures leading up to the fire and during the response. But Brown’s comments offer additional details and a new perspective on how the fire response came together and what was left out of the formal investigation.
Brown said he is sharing his story with Defense News now as he faces a secretarial letter of censure. He was named in the investigation as contributing to the loss of the ship, but was cleared by what’s known as a Consolidated Disposition Authority in December. He said he was not interviewed for the investigation into the fire.
Capt. J.D. Dorsey, a spokesman for Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, told Defense News “the secretary is still in the process of reviewing the command investigation and has not yet made any final decisions on actions beyond what the CDA has imposed.”
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GUNS N GEAR
And this all occurred while docked at a major base. The same dereliction of duty at sea would have resulted in thousands of dead as well as a sinking. I have seen current day sailors flee for their lives from a simple accidental sprinkler discharge and had to be herded back to their duty stations by the civilian yard boss. It is shameful compared to the actions of the brave men who saved the Franklin, Nevada, Forrestal, and many other stricken ships. I hate to generalize about such things, but the current crop of young people seem to be utterly worthless to a productive society. As bad as that is, the leadership could not be worse. We have more flag officers today then we did in 1945 with over 12 million people in uniform. That many useless stars will earn us many more Bonhomme Richard and Kabul airport fiascoes.
The chain of nonsensical thinking process that led to this stuporous & deeply regrettable incident has now been allowed to engulf your entire country to such a degree, that a Civil War & worse is inevitable & unavoidable. Unfortunately, Biblical Prophecies explaining the End Times will now eventuate. I do not know what else to say except that the unending global disasters unfolding in every country will result in such calamities that there the only escape will be in heaven. Most of your avid & more serious readers know & live this fact daily. Bur still we must try our best to advise the sheeple whenever possible. Thanks for all the illuminating articles.
Are things this bad in the military? It’s akin to calling your local fire department and they say we’re on our break time watching tranny strippers, no can do. We have lost any future conflicts before they have started.
Good times make weak men
Weak men make hard times
Hard times make strong men
Hard times are obviously upon us. “Making strong men”, is not just a task “for the times” but for those still retaining self-worth and caring what the children inherit. Caring what is to be preserved, taught and passed on.
The seeds, the kernels of rebirth are among us, their numbers not great but their power is the very true echo of past heroes.
Doubt anyone here is shooting for “hero” status where fighting for good is concerned. But all the same, ancestors did it, some here will do it. Likely many here will at least try, perhaps die trying.
Two kingdoms: The one of our Lord. The one we inhabit in this life. So close, they almost touch if one has faith and good cheer. No matter what happens.
The Boomers were the weak men.
Now we live in hard times.
…and crap like this is why we’re going to lose our next war against a peer adversary.
Last week I listened to “American Vindicta” (on YouTube) with Doug Thornton interviewed Jamie Walden. Stunning information was discussed about the downfall of America. Jamie mentioned how that China and Russia totally reject Sodomy and “Transgenderism,” whilst America is embracing this perversion!
For a deeply sobering read go to Jeremiah (“the weeping prophet) and check out chapter 50 which is a prophecy concerning Babylon. There be many folks that contend that America is modern-day Babylon. Of note it’s written in verse 37 & 38,
“A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots (transportation?), and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; AND THEY SHALL BECOME AS WOMEN: a sword is upon her treasures (economy?); and they shall be robbed.
A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is a land of graven images (Washington, D.C.?) and they are mad upon their idols.”
On a cheerful and encouraging note, “Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9c) and “…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1:7 KJV). Cheers, hombres…