USS Blue Ridge makes port call on Indo-Pacific patrol

It was a ‘Blue Monday’ as the oldest ship serving in United States Navy (USN) sailed into Sydney Harbour, calling in at HMAS Kuttabul as part of its current voyage patrolling the Indo-Pacific.

CAPTION: USS Blue Ridge prepares to berth alongside Fleet Base East in Sydney. Story byLieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Commissioned in 1970, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) is a forward-deployed amphibious command ship serving as the command, control, communications, computers, cyber and intelligence (C5I) support function for the entire 7th Fleet.

Despite its 55 years of dedicated service, Commanding Officer Captain Nicholas DeLeo remains proudly confident that Blue Ridge is as focused and capable as her first day of service.

“Since its commissioning, Blue Ridge has changed quite a bit,” Captain DeLeo said.

“We keep getting modifications and upgrades to the technology and there are a variety of capabilities on board, so we keep evolving the platform.”

The port visit to Sydney was a welcome respite for the 1000-strong crew, who have been conducting sustained operations at sea, participating in exercises and fostering relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

Described as the “most capable command ship ever built”, with an extremely sophisticated command and control system, the multinational crew has an Australian contingent serving on board, strengthening ties between navies and the two nations.

“We even had an Anzac Day celebration on board, as we had Australian and Kiwi sailors on board, and it was a great learning experience for my junior sailors having that memorial take place,” Captain DeLeo said.

CAPTION: Australia’s Lieutenant Commander Dominic Harradine is Deputy Future Operations Director with the US 7th Fleet, on board the USS Blue Ridge.

One of those members was Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Commander Dominic Harradine, currently serving as Deputy Future Operations Director for the 7th Fleet.

“America works with its allies and partners in the region to force multiply, the power projection is considerable,” Lieutenant Commander Harradine said.

“Both navies are looking for interoperability and interchangeability opportunities. It’s really easy to put an Australian Navy sailor on a US ship, or a US sailor on an Australian ship.”

Greeting the Blue Ridge on arrival was Commanding Officer Kuttabul Captain Rebecca Levitt, who welcomed the opportunity to share ideas and forge personal connections that solidify partnerships between international allies.

“For more than 100 years we have shared an enduring friendship and partnership between the Royal Australian Navy and US Navy,” Captain Levitt said.

“Ship visits like this go a long way to developing our shared capabilities. We get to know each other a lot better, both socially and professionally. Every moment we spend together, improves interoperability.”

The Australian alliance with the United States is underpinned by mutual respect for each nation’s sovereignty and national interests, and governed by shared interests in a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

CAPTION:Commanding Officer USS Blue Ridge Captain Nick DeLeo and Commanding Officer HMAS Kuttabul Captain Rebecca Levitt talk to media at Fleet Base East in Sydney.

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