Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Karen Blankenship | Lance Cpl. Benjamin Douglas, an aviation operations specialist assigned to Aviation...... read more read more
PACIFIC OCEAN – Lance Cpl. Benjamin Douglas, an aviation operations specialist from the Flying Tigers of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262, is currently embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) on deployment in the western Pacific.
Douglas, a Pittsburgh native, is in charge of flight planning and ensuring that pilots' records and qualifications are up to date.
“My job is important because many of the flight operations can’t happen if the pilots are not up to date on the qualifications they need,” said Douglas.
Douglas said that what he likes most about his job is being involved in the flight planning.
“Working with the squadron makes me feel like I have a part in what’s really going on,” said Douglas. “Whenever the birds are up there flying, I know I had something to do with that.”
Douglas said that he joined the Marine Corps to travel and to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered by the Marine Corps. He plans to continue his college education and study communication or information technology.
“One thing I like about being a Marine is the camaraderie we have,” said Douglas. “It’s one team, one fight. We all work together and do our part to get the mission accomplished.”
The Steelers fan said that he is proud to be serving his country on this deployment.
“Not a lot of people can say that they have served,” said Douglas. “It takes a few that will actually take the chance to step on the yellow footprints and join the Marine Corps.”
Bonhomme Richard, commanded by Capt. Daniel Dusek, is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed amphibious ready group and is currently operating in the 7th Fleet Area of Operations.
For more news about Amphibious Squadron 11 or USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), please visit:
www.facebook.com/#!/PHIBRON11
www.dvidshub.net/unit/PHIBRON11
www.cpf.navy.mil
www.c7f.navy.mil
| Date Taken: | 08.28.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 11.02.2012 04:48 |
| Story ID: | 97170 |
| Location: | USS BONHOMME RICHARD, USAFRICOM, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 147 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Behind the scenes of Marine aviation aboard USS Bonhomme Richard, by PO3 Karen Blankenship, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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