U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Sydney for a port visit further strengthening the relationship between the partner nations July 3.
While in Sydney, embarked 7th Fleet staff will conduct the U.S.-Australian biennial military exercise Talisman Sabre 2015, July 4-19. Blue Ridge will act as command and control for the exercise and provide communications support for 7th Fleet and Australian Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) staffs.
This port visit marks the first time Blue Ridge has been to Australia since its involvement in Talisman Sabre 2013, which took place in Cairns, Australia.
Blue Ridge has been forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan for 36 years and is currently on patrol, strengthening and fostering relationships within the 7th Fleet area of operations.
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Image: US Navy