Blue Ridge-class (LCC-19)

Summary

Description

USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is the lead ship of the Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ships of the United States Navy and serves as the flagship of the Seventh Fleet. Its missions involve providing command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) support to the fleet's commander and staff. Currently, it is forward-deployed to Yokosuka in Japan and holds the distinction of being the oldest deployed warship of the U.S. Navy. The ship is named after the Blue Ridge Mountains and is distinguished by flying the First Navy Jack due to its status as the oldest active commissioned ship. She is scheduled to remain in operation until 2039.

The ship’s origin dates back to its commissioning on November 14, 1970, at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Blue Ridge took the place of USS Estes and was sponsored by Mrs. Gretchen Byrd. It was designed from the beginning as a highly advanced command and control vessel with an innovative computer system, communications equipment, and surveillance capabilities.

Regarding design, Blue Ridge featured a minimal superstructure to reduce interference with its communication systems, and initially, it was equipped with sophisticated electronics and a high-capacity communications suite. Its armament at commissioning included two twin Mark 33 3"/50 caliber guns and two Mark 25 launchers within its Basic Point Defense Missile System, though these have since been removed or replaced. Point defense was enhanced in the 1980s with two 20mm Phalanx CIWS systems, and in later years, 25mm Bushmaster cannons were added.

Blue Ridge's operational history began with its maiden voyage in February 1971, traveling from the shipyard to San Diego. It encountered the Chilean Navy during its transit through the Strait of Magellan, supported potential aid to U.S. tuna boats during the Tuna War with Ecuador, and upon arrival in San Diego, commenced various training exercises and deployments. Notable operations through the 1970s included its role during the Easter Offensive in Vietnam and its recognition with the Combat Action Ribbon for returning fire with coastal artillery. Throughout the 1980s and the following decades, Blue Ridge conducted numerous rescue operations for Vietnamese boat people, visited China, and participated in significant events like Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

In the 2000s, Blue Ridge continued its active involvement in exercises and operations in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. It aided in disaster relief during Operation Tomodachi after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. By the 2020s, the ship was involved in a helicopter crash incident off Okinawa, but all crew members were rescued without injury.

The Blue Ridge operates under the United States, specifically as the flagship for the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet, with Yokosuka, Japan, as its forward-deployed location.

Technical specifications

Photo of Blue Ridge class