The Seventh Fleet Band disembarked from Blue Ridge in order to provide the Japanese public with concerts dedicated to the victims of the tsunami. Read More , These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navys deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of July 8, 2019, based on Navy and public data. March 28, USS Blue Ridge anchored off Inchon, Republic of Korea, for a four-day port call. Join the Military Tom Demerly is a feature writer, journalist, photographer and editorialist who has written articles that are published around the world on TheAviationist.com, TACAIRNET.com, Outside magazine, Business Insider, We Are The Mighty, The Dearborn Press & Guide, National Interest, Russias government media outlet Sputnik, and many other publications. U S Navy Amphibious Command Ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Crest Badge Patch Journal: Take Notes, Write Down Memories in this 150 Page Lined Journal. Laid down in 1970 and 1971 . These areas of responsibility often overlapped and at times even merged. 585 talking about this. [33] Admiral Gayler directed USSAG/Seventh Air Force and Seventh Fleet to begin Frequent Wind Option IV at 10:51 (Saigon time), but for some unexplainable reason, dissemination of this message to the participating units had been delayed from 10:52 until 12:15. [8], For Blue Ridge's first drydock since the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, from 11 October to 19 November she was in the Long Beach Naval Shipyard for Post Shakedown availability. The air crew was able to escape the MH-60S before it sank and no lives were lost in the accident. As the ship crossed the equator on 26 February at 38 degrees and 24 minutes longitude, bound for Rio de Janeiro, Blue Ridge performed her first crossing the line ceremony, initiating the "wog" majority of the crew, except for one. "The 33d MAU and subordinate units were awarded the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for their efforts", but Blue Ridge was not. His military experience includes being Honor Graduate from the U.S. Army Infantry School at Ft. Benning, Georgia (Cycle C-6-1) and as a Scout Observer in a reconnaissance unit, Company F, 425th INF (RANGER/AIRBORNE), Long Range Surveillance Unit (LRSU). The 191-foot cargo vessel collided with a grain hauler on a blustery night in September 1894, sinking both. The first being sighted before noon contained 54 total refugees. In addition to its sophisticated command and control system, an extremely refined communications system is also an integral part of the ship's radical new design. Officials later said that one crewmember had been rescued and "search efforts continue for five additional crewmembers." The photo below was taken by William Chiu when USS BLUE RIDGE visited Hong Kong in April 1989. Launched. [51], The ship is expected to remain in service until 2039. [14], In Blue Ridge's transit from Lima to Rodman Naval Station, Panama, she was assigned the duty of going to the aid of any U.S. tuna fishing boat being harassed or captured by the Ecuadorian Navy because they were fishing in a claimed 200 miles (320km) fishing zone that the U.S. did not recognize. 5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars (1) Paperback. The capability to recover the airframe and make it available to determine the cause of the accident is a huge plus helping to ensure Naval Aviation safety. Police said officers were first called . [56], Operation Eagle Pull (1113 April 1975), the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, Blue Ridge was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. 230105-N-GU321-1085 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Jan. 5, 2023) Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Ryan Misuraca, from Las Vegas, brazes a potable water pipe in the hull technician shop aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), Jan. 5, 2023. This helicopter was one of 15 which landed on board USS Blue Ridge with Vietnamese military personnel and families during the evacuation. In 1979 USS BLUE RIDGE changed homeport to Yokosuka, Japan and has served as the flagship of Commander, US Seventh Fleet. Additional reports said five of the three aircrew were sent to U.S. USS Blue Ridge Conducts Change of Command By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Hall YOKOSUKA, Japan - Capt. Every branch of the military used asbestos during the 20th century. OKINAWA, Japan -- U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked 7th Fleet staff pulled into Okinawa, Japan, May 24, making the ship's first port visit in more than 70 days. The evacuation continued until the morning of 30 April with the last helicopter evacuating the Marine Security Guards from the roof of the U.S. Embassy at 07:53 and landing on USS Okinawa at 08:30. [19] It was the only one Blue Ridge received prior to substantial changes made to the award in 1976 and is not listed as a Navy "E" Ribbon on the unit awards page. Blue Ridge conducted training exercises: Operation Golden Dragon in early April off South Korea, Operation Pagasa I in middle May off Philippines, Operation Pagasa II in early October off Philippines. The MH-60 assigned to Blue Ridge went down while conducting routine operations at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time. Sailors man the rails of the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) to commemorate Memorial Day off the coast of Normandy, France, May 27, 2019. The "clean" topside area is the result of careful design intended to keep the ship's interference to her own communications system at a minimum. For 41 years we have been. [21], On 5 April 1972, Blue Ridge departed for the war zone, the Gulf of Tonkin. The U.S. Navy said that, "The MH-60 assigned to. . A tug was reeling in the messenger line, a rope about an inch and a half in diameter that is attached to the hawser, the big rope -- about eight inches in diameter -- that bears the weight in tugging and mooring. US Navy photo. On 12 April, in response to the Cambodian government's crumbling defenses around the capital of Phnom Penh, Operation Eagle Pull evacuated 289 Americans, Cambodians and third country nationals by helicopter to the USSOkinawa. The MH-60S also retains the Black Hawks provisions for mounting the external pylons to carry stores and equipment, providing the added capability to carry out a wide range of missions. Crew Safe After U.S. Navy Helicopter Goes Down in Philippine Sea By U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs | Jan. 25, 2020 PHILIPPINE SEA . The USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19), is the first of two Blue Ridge class command ships. [27], Late in Blue Ridge's second WestPac, the ship was conducting a joint exercise with the Philippine Navy in the South China Sea called PAGASA II, as the command ship. Read More , These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navys deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of June 24, 2019, based on Navy and public data. FIRST ENDORSEMENT to ltr of Ens. All five crewmembers are currently in stable condition. [26], On 18 August 1972, Blue Ridge returned to San Diego. Toggle navigation. the Naval Communications Station, San Miguel, United States Naval Forces Central Command, "USS Denver to Decommission after 46 Years of Service", "Blue Ridge Now 2nd Oldest Behind Constitution", "2 Navy ships getting new lease on life courtesy of budget concerns", "USS Blue Ridge Crew Completes Light-Off Assessment, Ignites Boilers", "Policy Regarding Use of the U.S. Navy Flag, Battle Streamers, U.S. Navy Infantry Battalion Flag and the First Navy Jack", Welcome Aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) 1971 file 02 of 10, Blue Ridge First Insurv in Philly Shipyard BEACON Pub page 1 of 2, Blue Ridge "Crossing The Line" 1971 Certificate, Welcome Aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) 1971 page 06 of 10, "Command History Reports: '72, '73, '74-'75, '76-'77, '77. Working with our network of allies and partners ensures a #FreeandOpenIndoPacifi Adm. Phil Davidson at the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia. Read More , Sailors who are presumed dead after an Aug. 31, 2021 MH-60S Knighthawk crash off the coast of California. The evolution, assessed by Commander, Engineering Assessments Pacific with assistance from Afloat Training Group Western Pacific, evaluated the programs, standard operating procedures, equipment, and emergency . YOKOSUKA, Japan - Capt. DoD Careers On 3 April 1972, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet (CinCPac) Admiral John S. McCain Jr. cancelled Exercise Golden Dragon. "[23], On the first of July, while steaming outside of Da Nang Harbor, in the combat zone and the ship's port 3-inch gun manned, Blue Ridge had her first change of command. USS Blue Ridge LCC-19 == == DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) Unlike her World War II predecessor of the same name, which had to be converted from a merchantman to an Amphibious Force Flagship, the new 620-foot UNITED STATES SHIP BLUE RIDGE represents a unique effort and achievement in the Navy's . Menu. Parliamentary Friendship Association, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Ordered. She is the third Navy ship named after the Blue Ridge Mountains, a series of ranges in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern U.S. [19][25][53][54], Blue Ridge may have earned the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal for six months of service off South Vietnam from February to July 1972 as listed by NavSource.org. Initially USS BLUE RIDGE assumed the schedule of any West Coast "Amphib"; deployments to the Western Pacific, alternating with state side maintenance and training. for first WESTPAC via Pearl 7 Jan, Shellback Initiation - 27 FEB 1972 - Pacific Ocean, Vietnam Service Medal One Star for Consolidation II, Vietnam Service Medal second star for Vietnam Ceasefire, 28 June RVN President Nguyen Van Thieu visits Blue Ridge, Combat Action Ribbon for NVN DMZ Tiger Island, Vietnam Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, BR's awarded it's first Battle Printed Material. During this port visit, Blue Ridge Sailors will have opportunities to explore Jakarta while the 7th Fleet band will hold public concerts. [37], The sky over the evacuation fleet was soon filled with Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) helicopters, looking for a place to land and unload their passengers. Caption: Operation Frequent Wind, April 29, 1975 A Vietnamese Air Force HU-1 Huey Helicopter is deliberately ditched near USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), as one of the ship's boats stands by to pick up the pilot. We are the command and control ship for U.S. 7th Fleet. The venerable . Cooper, RT @IIIMEF: Read how the Marine Corps prepared todays warfighter for tomorrows demands during Bushido Strike 23: U.S. Air Force E-11A BACN (Battlefield Airborne Communications Node) Aircraft Has Crashed in Afghanistan, U.S. Embassy relocation was supported by F-16, MV-22 Osprey as well as EP-3E Aries II aircraft The US embassy in Tripoli, Libya, was evacuated with staff relocated to Tunisia in the early hours of Saturday [], VFA-131 Operation Inherent Resolve Cruise Video includes rare footage of Russian Flanker (and Iranian F-4 Phantom) encountered by the U.S. Navy Hornets. Of the five aircrew, three were sent to the U.S. Mechanical failure of the second boat had left the 37 adrift well short of the shipping lane. [49] On 9 May 2010, sailors from Blue Ridge took part in a Victory Day Parade of the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet in the city of Vladivostok, being assembled on the city square next to French sailors. [35], The commanding officer of ProvMAG 39, Colonel McLenon, exercised control of his Marine aircraft through the Tactical Air Coordination Center (TACC) on board Blue Ridge. If you contact a Shipmate through HullNumber, your email address is not displayed in the message to your Shipmate. A dramatic multinational rescue took place in the Philippine Sea off the island of Okinawa on Saturday when a U.S. Navy MH-60S with five crewmen on board went down in the open ocean. #Readiness However, operating from Blue Ridge posed reception problems because of the distance from shore. Recovery Act U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949. None of the other seven personnel on scene attempted any similar act or endangered themselves to such a degree to come to the entangled Sailor's aid.". US Navy Photo. A Sea Sparrow being loaded into a Mark 25 launcher on Blue Ridge during Desert Storm, 1991. Contents of this blog/website may not be used without author's prior written permission. A feature story about the ship's wheel of USS Blue Ridge (AGC 2), the second ship to bear the name and the modern Blue Ridge's World War II predecessor. Category:USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) English: USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is the lead ship of the Blue Ridge-class of command ships of the United States Navy. This single integrated database concentrates the available information into a complete tactical picture of air, surface and subsurface contacts, enabling the Fleet Commander to quickly assess and concentrate on any situation which might arise. The five crewmembers were located and rescued by a joint Japanese/U.S. It is likely that most veterans who served on Amphibious Warships built prior to the 1970s were exposed to some level of asbestos, leaving them susceptible to mesothelioma. On 28 December 1918, the ship arrived at the Boston Navy Yard from the Great Lakes. Anchored in Chinhae Harbor on April 9. [22] As CTU 76.0.1, escorted by USSJohn Paul Jones, Blue Ridge conducted special operations in the Tonkin Gulf in Operation Venture Road. Departs for second WESTPAC via Pearl Harbor 14 Feb, Shellback Initiation - 29 AUG 1973 - Pacific Ocean. [24][25], The Easter Counter-Offensive was Blue Ridge's longest time at sea, 64 days from 5 April to 7 June 1972. Commissioned in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on Nov. 14, 1970 . The aircraft began full-rate production in 2002 and was first deployed aboard the USS Essex in 2003. 2018-jul. It was integrated with the Task Force 76 Joint Intelligence Center and operated from the supplemental radio spaces of Blue Ridge using input from the service cryptologic agencies in Southeast Asia. USS Blue. [48] Blue Ridge brought relief supplies from Singapore to Japan but remained in the vicinity of Okinawa where the embarked U.S. The MH-60S uses the Seahawk rescue hoist for search and rescue missions and the naval cockpit doors. While on liberty, Sailors will have limited access to specific designated areas on the pier and neighboring beach. There is no recondite lesson to be learned from this episode. NAVSHIPSO NAVSEA Shipbuilding Support Office Norfolk Naval Shipyard Code 284, Bldg 705 Portsmouth, VA 23709-1020 (757) 967-3484 (757) 967-2957 (FAX) USS Blue Ridge LCC-19 Rate MM Machinist's Mate. The ship was sponsored by Mrs. Gretchen Byrd, wife of the U.S. On 11 February 1971, Blue Ridge steamed on her maiden voyage from the shipyard to the ship's first homeport, San Diego, California, around South America via the Strait of Magellan, making liberty calls at Norfolk, Virginia (15 February), Rio de Janeiro (4-6 March), Lima (20-22 March), Rodman Naval Station, Panama Canal Zone (27-28 March), and But before that happened, as Mr. Johnson struggled to help Mr. Wright, the violently jerking line entangled both of Mr. Johnson's legs, dragged him to the chock, and severed both limbs below the knee. As just one of the two dedicated command ships in the Navy's operational fleet, the USS Blue Ridge has served the United States for nearly a half-century, from the Vietnam War to the growing . USNI News Photo Illustration, A failure in the system that keeps a helicopter rotor system stable was responsible for a fatal August 2021 fatal helicopter crash in which five sailors were killed, according to the results of an investigation released this week. [25][44], In July 1996, Blue Ridge visited Vladivostok for the 300th Anniversary of the Russian Navy.[45][46]. AC. USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) Crew Roster. All rights reserved. USNI News Photo Illustration, A search-and-salvage team has located and recovered from a depth of 5,300 feet the five crewmembers and MH-60S helicopter that crashed while operating on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Aug. 31, the Navy announced Tuesday. 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