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Congressional Representatives Visit Blue Ridge

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080114-10
Release Date: 1/14/2008 4:37:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Charles Newcomer, USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Members of the House Armed Services Committee visited USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) to meet with Vice Adm. Doug Crowder as part of a fleet familiarization trip to discuss the U.S. Navy's mission of promoting peace and stability in the 7th Fleet's area of responsibility.

Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-California's 10th district; Rep. Todd Akin, R-Missouri's 2nd district; Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Washington's 2nd district; and Rep. Trent Franks, R-Arizona's 2nd district toured the fleet flagship's facilities and met with crew members from their respective districts.

During a meeting in the ship's flag mess, Crowder illustrated to the house members the importance of the U.S. and Japanese alliance and how the alliance fulfills the mutual interest of both nations.

"Our relationship with Japan is one of friendship and cooperation. Japan is as good an ally in the region as the U.S. could ask for," said Crowder.

"The amount of engagement we conduct with Japan, and with all our allies in the region, underpins the importance of relationships for regional security and stability," he added. "A large part of the global economy transits on the seas through this region, making our mission even that much more important.

After the meeting, the crew members demonstrated some of Blue Ridge's capabilities as a mobile command and control platform able to coordinate U.S. responses to a variety of threat scenarios.

The lawmakers observed the demonstrations and had the opportunity to ask candid questions from the crew, giving them insight into the vital 7th Fleet mission and the capabilities of the Blue Ridge.

Despite being on a tight schedule, the members were able to make time to meet and greet Blue Ridge crewmembers who hailed from their home districts.

"Some people talk about things like patriotism and supporting freedom," said Arizona congressman Trent Franks who invited the Blue Ridge Sailors from the 2nd District to visit his office in Washington. "But the Sailors I met today are the people who put those principles into action. I sincerely wish to thank all the members of our armed forces for their service and sacrifice."

The Blue Ridge crewmembers in attendance relished the opportunity to meet with their representatives in person.

"It was great to meet my congressional representative face to face," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Cindy Dinh. "That is an opportunity that few people get and I got it by serving on Blue Ridge."

Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman and serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 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.

For more news from USS Blue Ridge, visit www.navy.mil/local/lcc19/.