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Congressional Representatives Visit Blue Ridge

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080303-14
Release Date: 3/3/2008 2:10:00 PM

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

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

Reps. Ellen Tauscher of California's 10th district, D-Calif.; Todd Akin of Missouri's 2nd district, R-Mo.; Rick Larsen of Washington's 2nd district, D-Wash.; and Trent Franks of Arizona's 2nd district, R-Ariz., 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," said Crowder. "Japan is as good an ally in the region as the U.S. could ask for."

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

Congress members observed the demonstrations and had the opportunity to ask candid questions from the crew concerning capabilities and procedure. This allowed the members to get as much information as possible for the House Armed Services Committee concerning the 7th Fleet and its mission.

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

"Some people talk about things like patriotism and supporting freedom," said Franks who invited the Blue Ridge Sailors from the 2nd district to visit his office. "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."

Blue Ridge crew members 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/.