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Blue Ridge Concludes Summer Patrol

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100902-08
9/2/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Melvin F. Orr III, USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs

USS BLUE RIDGE, At sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines from USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), embarked 7th Fleet staff, and Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Pacific returned to the ship's forward-deployed port of Yokosuka, Japan on Aug. 31, completing a six-week, 5,555-nautical-mile patrol in the western Pacific Ocean.

Blue Ridge kicked off the patrol with a five-day visit to the Republic of Palau in support of Pacific Partnership 2010 where medical and dental teams, working in conjunction with community outreach groups, treated more than 3,500 patients across the Palauan states of Koror, Peleliu and Angaur. The teams worked closely with Palauan medical personnel, providing expert advice on topics ranging from prenatal care to health clinic management.

Sailors and Marines also participated in 14 community service projects (COMSERV) including two beach cleanups, renovation of basketball and volleyball courts at five Palauan schools, and restoration of the stairs and benches at the 66-year-old Bloody Nose Ridge WWII memorial on the island of Peleliu. Additionally, the ship delivered 7 pallets of health care, medication, and hygiene products donated by the American people as part of Project Handclasp.

"This was an opportunity for Blue Ridge to participate in a mission that was critical to building relationships and partnerships in the region while giving the crew the opportunity to train and build its skills and expertise to better respond to humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations," said Blue Ridge commanding officer Capt. Rudy Lupton. "Our Sailor's performance in Palau in support of Pacific Partnership was outstanding and their efforts were greatly appreciated by the nation of Palau."

The flagship also visited Manila, Philippines to strengthen ties between the United States and Philippines. The ship's crew provided shipboard tours, participated in sporting events with their Philippine counterparts while conducting several COMSERV events in the Manila area.

The ship concluded the patrol with a two-week visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) in support of commander, U.S. 7th Fleet's participation in the combined forces exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian with the ROK navy.

Capping the deployment was a visit by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West, during Blue Ridge's final day in Busan, Republic of Korea, where he presented enlisted surface warfare specialists qualification pins to 17 Blue Ridge and embarked 7th Fleet staff Sailors.

Blue Ridge 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 operations detachment in Sasebo, Japan.