USS Blue Ridge

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Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on July 22, 2011 at 2:16pm

ORAL SEA (July 22, 2011) The U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), front, conducts flight operations while underway with the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD-42). Blue Ridge and Germantown are in the Coral Sea supporting Talisman Sabre 2011, which enhances joint combat readiness and interoperability between U.S. and Australian air, land and maritime forces. The exercise is focused on crisis action planning and execution of emergency response operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mel Orr)

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on March 18, 2011 at 11:53am

7th Fleet Relief Support Update (March 18)
From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

SEA OF JAPAN (March 18, 2011) -- Aviation boatswain’s mates remove chocks and chains from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter as it prepares to take off from the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran/Released)

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (March 18, 2011) - At 2:46 this afternoon, U.S. Seventh Fleet personnel embarked on the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) along with Japan Self Defense Forces personnel throughout Japan, observed a moment of silence marking one week since that a 9.0 mega-earthquake struck off the eastern shore of Honshu. The moment of silence also marked a transition in mission as Japan ended rescue efforts and took on a new mission of sustaining life. Seventh Fleet remains committed to this relief effort, with 12,750 personnel, 20 ships, and 140 aircraft participating in Operation Tomodachi. Seventh Fleet forces have delivered a total of 81 tons of relief supplies to date.

After offloading Japan Ground Self Defense Force personnel and vehicles in Ominato, USS Tortuga (LSD 46) departed en route the vicinity of Hachinohe where she will serve as an afloat forward service base for helicopter operations. CH-53 Sea Stallion aircraft from HM-14 attached to Tortuga delivered 13 tons of humanitarian aid cargo, including 5000 pounds of water and 5000 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), to Yamada Station, 80 miles south of Misawa.

USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Germantown (LSD 42) with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived off the coast of Akita prefecture this afternoon. Marines of the 31st MEU continue have established a Forward Control Element (FCE) in Matsushima in order to coordinate disaster aid planning with officials already on scene. They will move to Sendai tomorrow.

The USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group to include the cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), the destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88), and the combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) along with the guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), USS McCampbell (DDG 85), USS Mustin (89) and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) continue Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations off the east coast of Iwate Prefecture. Three U.S. Navy liaison officers are on JS Hyuga to coordinate U.S. operations with Japan Maritime Self Defense force leadership.

Helicopters from HS-4 and HSL-43 with the USS Ronald Reagan strike group, and HSL-51 from Carrier Airwing Five in Atsugi, delivered 28 tons of food, water, clothes, medicine, toiletries, baby supplies, and much needed kerosene to displaced persons at fifteen relief sites ashore. For two of the relief sites serviced today, it was the first humanitarian aid they have received since the tsunami a week ago. Eight of the sites serviced made requests for specific aid, including a need for a medical professional.

Carrier Airwing Five (CVW-5) completed the relocation of 14 rotary-wing aircraft normally assigned to USS George Washington from Naval Air Faculty (NAF) Atsugi to Misawa Air Base in northern Honshu. The aircraft are now positioned for quick response to humanitarian mission in northeastern Honshu. Additionally, CVW-5 tactical aircraft which are non-essential to the relief mission have been relocated to bases in Okinawa and Guam in order to open ramp space at Atsugi.

USS Cowpens (CG-63) continued its northerly track to rendezvous with the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group. Cowpens is expected to join the Strike Group overnight. USS Shiloh (CG-67) got underway from Yokosuka to deliver relief supplies to the Strike Group.

USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), flagship for the United States Seventh Fleet, remained in the vicinity of Okinawa to conduct transfers of supplies and additional personnel to augment the staff.

All Seventh Fleet ships, including USS George Washington and USS Lassen which are currently conducting maintenance in Yokosuka, are increasing their readiness posture in order to be prepared to conduct any tasking ordered. This includes the recall of personnel and the cancellation of leave.

Two P-3 Orion aircraft from Patrol Squadron Four (VP-4) conducted two aerial survey missions or ports and airfields in northern Honshu today. CTF-72 embarked two liaison officers from the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force on each mission. Aerial imagery captured on these missions is shared with Japan. VP-4 has established a detachment in Misawa with two aircraft and four aircrews.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on March 12, 2011 at 9:39pm

USS Blue Ridge readies to provide aid to Japan
By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian A. Stone

SOUTH CHINA SEA (March 12, 2011) Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Noel Arceo, left, observes and underway replenishment between U.S. 7th Fleet command flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204). Blue Ridge loaded another supply of humanitarian assistance/disaster relief kits to ensure the crew is ready to provide humanitarian assistance in support of earthquake and tsunami relief operations in Japan as directed. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron M. Pineda)

SOUTH CHINA SEA - Seventh Fleet command flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Sailors and embarked 7th Fleet staff members are preparing for humanitarian aid and disaster relief support operations while sailing toward the eastern coast of mainland Japan March 13.

Blue Ridge Sailors loaded a humanitarian aid/disaster relief (HADR) kit while moored in Singapore Friday night and set sail Saturday morning. Shortly after departing Singapore, the ship completed replenishment-at-sea operations with USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204), receiving fuel and additional supplies.

“I’m amazed at the things we’ve achieved in such a short time,” said Master Chief Information Systems Technician Lonnie Gillilan, who led the recent on-load preparations aboard Blue Ridge. “We’ve all been pulling together, no complaining. I’m very impressed.”

Sailors worked past midnight Friday, loading equipment to allow Blue Ridge to provide fresh water and supplies during HADR support operations.

“It’s giving me a sense of accomplishment to know that the work we’re doing could help people out,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Patrick Ramos, who helped push crates of supplies from the flight deck.

Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Jonathan Howton, a leading petty officer aboard Blue Ridge, has experience conducting HADR support operations in conditions similar to those location in Japan affected by the recent tsunami.

“I was aboard USS Iwo Jima when we provided aid to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina,” said Howton. “In a disaster situation you have to prepare for the unknown. You never know what’s going to happen.”

USS Blue Ridge is uniquely equipped and able to perform amphibious command and control operations and is ready to support assigned HADR relief efforts.

Comment by Molly on June 22, 2010 at 4:56pm

Ok im a Blue Ridge mom -------- love that ship OMG I wish I could be on her !!