U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Yokohama, Japan, for a port visit March 30.
Blue Ridge has been forward deployed to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan since 1979, and regularly conducts port visits within Japan strengthening the 35-year partnership.
The Blue Ridge team consists of more than 900 crew members including embarked 7th Fleet staff, the “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 and Marines from Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific.
The vessel will host a friends and family cruise which allows Sailors to invite friends and family members onboard for tours as the ship transits back to Yokosuka.
Blue Ridge is wrapping up its first in a series of patrols within the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations following a six-month selective restricted availability period. These patrols aid in strengthening and fostering relationships within the Indo-Asian-Pacific region.
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Image: US Navy