• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Blue Ridge Step Closer to Underway with Fast Cruise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061124-04
Release Date: 11/24/2006 5:29:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) William J. Davis, USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs

ABOARD BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) prepared for upcoming sea trials by simulating a day at sea Nov. 14, with a “Fast Cruise.”

Fast cruises give shipboard crews an opportunity to conduct underway drills and evolutions while remaining pier side. After nearly three months of maintenance and repairs in a ship’s restricted availability period, seasoned Sailors were eager to shake out the cobwebs while brand new crew members caught a sneak peek of life underway.

“When a Sailor arrives, whether they are coming from boot camp or a previous command, there is a transitional period that needs to be addressed,” said Chief Navy Career Counselor (SW/AW) Charles Traufler. “The Fast Cruise helps not only them, but the rest of the crew get ready for deployment.”

Blue Ridge Sailors were no exception, as they successfully completed a number of scheduled training events, including normal underway watch standing practices, a man overboard drill, an abandon ship drill, and the assigning of life boats and general quarters stations for new personnel.

“I have been on board for two months, and this was my first taste of what it will be like underway,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Vaugn Green. “I really thought it was great how the crew came together as a team when we mustered for the abandon ship drill.”

“I am excited to learn what we do on a cruise,” said Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Amanda Rampulla, another recent addition to the crew experiencing life in the fleet for the first time. “My first cruise is coming up and I look forward to getting underway and seeing the sites.”

Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. Jeff Bartkoski and serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. Blue Ridge is the flagship for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.