|
YOKOSUKA, Japan—More than 1,200
Sailors and Marines from USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), embarked 7th Fleet
staff, and Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific (FASTPAC)
returned to Yokosuka, Japan, Nov. 19, completing a two-month
deployment throughout the Pacific Ocean.
During the deployment, Blue Ridge transited throughout the 7th Fleet
area of responsibility and made port visits to Korea, Guam, New
Caledonia, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Vietnam.
“This was a very successful deployment,” said Capt. Thom W. Burke,
Blue Ridge’s commanding officer. “We were able to visit several
countries, participate in several exercises, and strengthen our
relationships with our friends throughout the region.”
The 2009 Fall Deployment, Capt. Burke’s last underway as commanding
officer, saw the 7th Fleet command ship foster friendships with
locals, participate in community outreach projects, and enjoy all
the different countries had to offer.
“As a command ship, our job is to run the fleet, and to develop and
strengthen relationships with our partners in the region,” Burke
said. “This deployment was a terrific opportunity to do just that.
I’m extremely proud of the crew’s hard work over these past nine
weeks. This is definitely a bittersweet homecoming for me because it
means the end of my tour on board Blue Ridge.”
In addition to making port visits, Blue Ridge also participated in
key operational engagements with other countries’ navies, including
a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the French Navy, and the yearly,
combined-training exercise with the Japan Maritime Self Defense
Force, ANNUALEX 21G, both of which sought to foster interoperability
and teamwork between the U.S. Navy and other countries’ naval
forces.
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 operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.
|
