USS
Bonhomme Richard Hong Kong Visit 2013
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) has
visited Hong Kong on 18th Sep, 2013 for five days [1]. Unlike other
visits of US amphibious assault ship, the flight deck plane demonstration this
time was more focusing on V-22 Osprey rather than other types of aircraft. Coincidently,
the visit of USS Bonhomme Richard was overlapped with Mukden Incident ceremony
[2].
V-22 was regarded
as one of the most important supports for defending Senkaku Islands, because
V-22 can transport Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) from their base
to the conflict zone with high speed. Also, medias have confirmed that those V-22s
belonged to US Marines HMM-265 Squadron, based in Okinawa [3] . HMM-265 is
responsible for Senkaku Inlands’ region.
(The Kanji means dragon in Japanese, it is the insignia of HMM-265)
Prof. Kenneth
Chan, associate professor in political science at Hong Kong Baptist University,
believed that US Navy aimed at demonstrating their power to mainland China by
showing the most helpful helicopters for Senkaku Islands defense [2].
(Picture 1: V-22 had not been intentionally displayed in Australia last month)
The plane layout of
the last US amphibious assault ship visit is a living proof for the stand of
Prof. Kenneth Chan. In the last US amphibious assault ship visit (USS Peleliu ,LHA-5)
on 16th April, 2013, each type of plane (AV-8B, CH53 Sikorsky, AH-1W
Super Cobra, CH-47 Chinook) had equal chance of demonstration [4]. In this US
Navy visit, V-22 Ospreys own almost 70% of the flight deck and the others had
to share the remained 30%. 10 V-22s were placed on the flight deck while only 7
other planes were demonstrated. Also, other planes could only stay far away
from the cameras.
It is understandable
that US Navy was eager to display their latest VTOL aircrafts, it was nothing
wrong for focusing on V-22 instead of other old helicopters and fighter planes.
However, USS Bonhomme Richard did not choose a better layout but intentionally hiding
other aircrafts at the very end of the ship. It seems that US Navy planned to show
its strong air transport fleet but not the aircraft itself.
No matter how US
displayed their planes and how scholar thought about the visit, most of the
Hong Kong people and military lovers only concerned how they could shoot the
best pictures for this huge ship. However, for military and foreign affair
researchers, V-22 is going to be the focus in their world, because V-22 has
significant influence to the regional power rebalance.
Besides the V-22
issue, I have found that US sailors were disciplined and friendly, however not
every weapon was in the best condition. US sailors and marines gave everyone on
board an alert, salute and ID check seriously, included their best friends.
Sometimes, the sailors would wave hand to curious Hong Kong citizens, how
friendly they are. However, I was a bit shock that I found the RAM (weapons
system) had rust on its surface. I was sure that RAM could still function well
but the rust gave me bad image.
After the stay in Hong Kong, USS
Bonhomme Richard will return Australia for public visit[5]. It seems that sailors
in Bonhomme Richard will have a long journey once again in South China Sea. They
may forget their happy stay in Hong Kong but something they never forget. The further
they sail, the more the world change. Making a difference will always be the
greatest pillar in their heart.
******************************************************************************
Gallery and Comments:
V-22
Ship
I really hoped that M-2 was uncovered.
I could not believe that RAM had rust on it.
ESSM, good enough for this ship
This two guys were friends.
I wish I could have his M-4, super cool!
Picture Source:
Picture 1:Conor
Byrne, Marines come ashore to share their
toys, NT news, Viewed 20th Sep, 2013, http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/08/29/324334_ntnews.html
Author owns the
copy right of other photos.
Reference:
[1]: Danny Lee, Warship USS
Bonhomme Richard sails into Victoria harbor, South China Morning Post,Viewed 20th
Sep, 2103, http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1312500/warship-uss-bonhomme-richard-sails-victoria-harbour
[2]: 備奪釣島魚 鷹機美攻擊艦「示威」,Sharp Daily ,Viewed 20th Sep,
2013, http://m.sharpdaily.hk/detail.php?guid=232929&category_guid=4104&category=
[4]: USS Peleliu HK 2013,Viewed 20th Sep, 2013, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6ZUJJ7uFOM
[5]: Conor Byrne, Marines come ashore to share their toys,
NT news, Viewed 20th Sep, 2013, http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/08/29/324334_ntnews.html
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