The patrol, which started July 8, noticed Blue Ridge make port visits to Singapore; Jakarta, Indonesia; Muara, Brunei; and Puerto Princesa, Philippines, enabling dialogue and relationship constructing amongst allies and companions.
“I’m extraordinarily pleased with the exhausting work and adaptability that the crew confirmed throughout this patrol,” mentioned Blue Ridge Commanding Officer, Capt. Dale M. Gregory. “Their professionalism and teamwork led to a profitable patrol and allowed us interact with companions throughout the Indo-Pacific. It’s in creating these people-to-people ties with our companions that we’re in a position additional our shared pursuits in preserving peace and prosperity and a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
In the beginning of patrol, Blue Ridge visited Jakarta, Indonesia July 27 ‑ 29; the ship’s first go to to the nation since 2019. Thomas carried out talks with Chief of the Indonesian Maritime Safety Company (Bakamla) Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia; U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, Ambassador Sung Y. Kim; Chief of Workers the Republic of Indonesia Fleet Command, Rear Adm. Didong Rio Duta; and different key-leaders. Moreover, members of the Seventh Fleet workers carried out staff-talks with their Indonesian Navy counterparts, geared toward enhancing interoperability and addressing shared maritime safety challenges.
The go to to Jakarta included a by the U.S. seventh Fleet Band for native members of the Indonesian army on the @America cultural heart. The band additionally frolicked with an area faculty band, sharing their experience and information, later ending with a joint live performance for family and friends members. Moreover, Blue Ridge and U.S. seventh Fleet workers Sailors took half in neighborhood outreach actions similar to a seaside clean-up, a sports activities day with the Indonesian Navy, and volunteering at local people applications for youngsters.
Second, Blue Ridge carried out a put up go to in Muara, Brunei Darussalam Aug. 3 – 5, the primary go to to the nation since 2002. There, Thomas carried out talks with U.S. Ambassador to Brunei, Her Excellency Caryn McClelland; the Minister of Defence II, The Honorable Pehin Datu Lailaraja; Main Common (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof; the Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Main Common Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan; and different key-leaders from Brunei.
Whereas in Brunei, Muslim Sailors had the chance to go to an area mosque for Friday prayers. Moreover, Blue Ridge and U.S. seventh Fleet Sailors took half in a sports activities day with members of the Royal Brunei Navy, strengthening the bond between service members.
Lastly, Blue Ridge carried out a port go to in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, Aug. 7 – 10, the ship’s first go to there since 2019. In Puerto Princesa, Thomas and U.S. seventh Fleet management met with Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, Commander, Western Command (WESCOM) and WESCOM leaders, the place they mentioned enhancing interoperability between the 2 militaries and discovering methods to extend cooperation within the maritime area. Moreover, the U.S. seventh Fleet Deputy Commander Captain Amy Bauernschmidt met with Captain Dennis Labay, the commander of Philippine Coast Guard District Palawan. Thomas and U.S. seventh Fleet workers additionally met with Puerto Princesa management together with Atty. Jethro M. Palayon and Mayor Lucilo Bayron.
In the course of the port name, the U.S. seventh Fleet Band carried out in entrance of a reside viewers at SM Metropolis Mall with counterparts from the Philippine Air Drive Western Command Band. Moreover, Blue Ridge hosted a tour of the ship to members of the Philippine Air Drive Western Command.
Between port visits, Blue Ridge sailed 8,840 nautical miles by way of the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, carried out three anchorages, 18 sea-and-anchor particulars, and 4 straight transits. 9,100 rounds of ammunition had been fired in a number of live-fire workouts, and the “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron 12 logged 21 hours of flight time in 9 helicopter operations.
“I’m extraordinarily pleased with the exhausting work and adaptability that the crew confirmed throughout this patrol,” mentioned Blue Ridge Commanding Officer, Capt. Dale M. Gregory. “Their professionalism and teamwork led to a profitable patrol and allowed us interact with companions throughout the Indo-Pacific. It’s in creating these people-to-people ties with our companions that we’re in a position additional our shared pursuits in preserving peace and prosperity and a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship within the Navy, and as U.S. seventh Fleet command ship, is chargeable for patrolling and fostering relationships inside the Indo- Pacific Area.
For extra information from USS Blue Ridge, go to http://www.navy.mil/native/lcc19/.
