7th Fleet, Blue Ridge team arrives for Pyongtaek visit
7th Fleet News
Release Date: 8/8/2003
7th Fleet public affairs
PYONGTAEK, Republic of Korea -- The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet command and control ship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), and the embarked Commander, 7th Fleet staff, arrived here Aug. 8 for a regularly scheduled port visit.
While in port, the ship's approximately 950 crew, 7th Fleet staff members and embarkees will have the chance to participate in sightseeing and cultural exchanges, and to assist in community service projects.
One Blue Ridge Sailor, Electronics Warfare Technician Seaman Rena Curtis, said it's her first time here.
"I think it will be a really cool place to visit," she said. Curtis said she keeps up with events between the two Koreas.
"I follow it a lot," she said. "You really have to know what's going on."
Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Joanna Villalobos, another Blue Ridge Sailor, said she'd "really like to experience the Korean culture, and visit some sights. I'd also really like to do some shopping."
The 7th Fleet area of responsibility for U.S. Navy operations encompasses 52 million square miles of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. On average, there are 50 ships, 200 aircraft and approximately 20,000 Sailors operating in the area.
Blue Ridge is forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and is commanded by Capt. J. Stephen Maynard.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
