ABOUT THE SHIP
The design of the San Antonio Amphibious Assault Ships was jointly developed by Navy, Marine Corps and industry stakeholders to provide superior performance over a broad range of operational requirements. LPD 17 provides the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea based platforms for execution of Expeditionary Warfare Missions. Each ship’s survivability features allow the crew to confidently sail into harm’s way and extend their reach with the compliment of air cushioned landing craft, helicopters or tilt rotor aircraft.
Christening of Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29)
Ingalls Shipbuilding christens the large transport ship Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) on June 11, 2022. Ship's Co-Sponsors is Shana McCool and Kate Oja, granddaughters of the ship’s namesake.
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Launch of Richard M. McCool Jr.
The U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) was launched at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
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THE SHIP'S LEADERSHIP
Commander Kris Blandin
Commander
A native of Boise, Idaho, CDR Blandin enlisted in the Navy in 1997 as a Fire Controlman and served onboard USS ESSEX (LHD 2) and USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) as a CIWS Technician. Upon selection to the STA-21 program he graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and was designated as a Surface Warfare Officer in 2007. CDR Blandin also holds a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering and Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey.
Sea assignments include serving as Anti-Terrorism Officer and Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer aboard USS DONALD COOK (DDG 75) and Damage Control Assistant aboard USS OSCAR AUSTIN (DDG 79). He served his Department Head Tours onboard USS ANZIO (CG 68) as the Weapons Officer and as Administrative Officer and Senior Watch Officer in Amphibious Squadron FOUR (CPR 4). During his Post Department Head tour he served as Damage Control Assistant onboard USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77). CDR Blandin is currently serving as Executive Officer of PCD/PCU USS RICHARD M. MCCOOL JR. (LPD 29).
Shore tours include student assignments to the University of Colorado at Boulder and Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. Staff assignments include serving as Operations Officer and Chief Engineer at Afloat Training Group Norfolk and a brief stop at Consolidated Naval Brig Chesapeake.
CDR Blandin’s wife Julie, is a Physical Therapist and the owner of Thrive Proactive Health in Virginia Beach. During off duty time they enjoy family time, golf, boating, BBQs, camping, and watersports.
THE SHIP'S LEADERSHIP
CMDCM Jerry L. Gonzales
Command Master Chief
Command Master Chief Petty Officer, Jerry L. Gonzales, a native of Fredericksburg, Texas, he began his military career in 2000, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Upon completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command, Greatlakes Il. he reported to his first command aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) where he earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Qualification. He rose through the ranks serving aboard USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), USS Ross (DDG 71), USS Forest Sherman (DDG 98), USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66). In 2016 he was promoted to Senior chief and completed Senior Enlisted Academy Class 220 in 2019. In 2020 he was selected to serve as a Command Senior Chief. In June 2021 through April 2023 he served as the CSEL onboard USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) Blue Crew.
His shore assignments include Recruit Training Command for Recruit Division Commander (RDC) duty. On February 9, 2009, he graduated RDC “C” School where he pushed five Divisions comprised of 440 recruits, earning the Distinguished Leadership Award, Master Training Specialist, RDC of the Quarter and hand selected to be Battle Stations-21 Leading Petty Officer. On October 29, 2019 he reported to Afloat Training Group Norfolk as the 3M LCPO/Assessor/Instructor and qualified Afloat Training Specialist and completed CMC/COB course in September, 2020 while serving as the Command Senior Chief.
He assumed the duties as the Command Master Chief onboard USS Richard M. McCool (LPD 29) on April 10, 2023.
His personal awards include Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards) and Presidential Unit Citation as well as various unit and campaign awards.
Command Master Chief Gonzales and his wife Melissa A. Gonzales reside in Virginia Beach, VA with their 2 daughters and one son: Heather (24), Jerry (18), and Isabella (13).
THE SHIP'S LEADERSHIP
Captain Jeff Baker
Prospective Commanding Officer
Captain Baker enlisted in the Navy in 1994 following graduation from Westminster College in Pennsylvania, earning a B.S. degree in Physics. He completed nuclear propulsion training and served two years as an instructor at NPTU Ballston Spa, NY and was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 1998. He earned M.S. in Systems Engineering & Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, and completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase I from the Naval War College in 2005. In 2020, he earned a M.S. in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy and completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase II from the National Defense University, Joint Advanced Warfighting School.
Afloat, Captain Baker served as the Main Propulsion Officer on USS Shreveport (LPD 12); Landing Craft OIC in Assault Craft Unit Two; Chief Engineer on USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44); Commanding Officer of Patrol Coastal Crew Delta on USS Hurricane (PC 3) and USS Firebolt (PC 10); Executive Officer on USS Comstock (LSD 45); Commanding Officer on USS Tortuga (LSD 46); and Commander, Naval Surface Squadron Five (CNSS5) in Manama, Bahrain.
Ashore, Captain Baker served as a Federal Executive Fellow in Washington D.C. and worked on U.S. Maritime Strategy in the Defense Studies group at the American Enterprise Institute; COMNAVSURFLANT N44 working material readiness improvements for Amphibious and Patrol Coastal ships; and Commanding Officer at Engineering Assessments Atlantic.
Captain Baker is currently the Prospective Commanding Officer for USS Richard M. McCool (LPD 29).
Captain Baker’s military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (6), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the GWOT Expeditionary and Service Medals, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and various other campaign medals and unit awards.