170112-N-XT039-130 SASEBO, Japan (Jan. 12, 2017)

170112-N-XT039-130 SASEBO, Japan (Jan. 12, 2017) Quartermaster 1st Class Matthew Lenerville, from Richardton, N.D., ceremoniously lowers an American flag on the main masthead of amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in honor of a U.S. Navy Captain’s retirement. Lenerville raised the flag to honor a U.S. Navy Captain’s retirement. The ceremony is performed at the request of the retiree. The retiree mails the flag to the ship and a flag certificate, signed by the ship’s commanding officer, is sent to the retiree when the flag is returned. Bonhomme Richard, forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan, is serving forward to provide a rapid-response capability in the event of a regional contingency or natural disaster. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jesse Marquez Magallanes/Released)