Blue Ridge (LCC 19) - Naval Cruise Book

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uss BLUE RIDGE LCC-19 WESTPAC 1973 DEPART SAN DIEGO 1022 24 FEB 1973 RETURN SAN DIEGO 1013 23 OCT 1973 ' '

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BLUE RIDGE is the first ship ever designed and built as a Connmand and Control Ship; all others have been converted fronn other type ships. She is the third ship to be named for the Blue Ridge Mountains in the United States. The first BLUE RIDGE was a Great Lakes passenger steamer that was purchased for use as a Navy Transport during World War I and the second was an amphibious force flagship that saw considerable action during World War II. Unlike her World War II predecessor which was quickly converted from a merchantman to a flagship, the new 620-foot United States Ship BLUE RIDGE represents a unique effort and achievement in the amphibious Navy ' s command ship design. In this 19,200 ton ship are found the facilities to direct and manage every phase of an amphibious operation; indeed, the BLUE RIDGE represents the accumulated know- ledge of four decades of the Navy ' s experience in the difficult effective Amphibious Force Coordination. Initially conceived in 1963, assumed the distinction of carrying one of the world ' s most sophisticated electronics packages to sea. BLUE RIDGE utilizes her main battery of computers, communications gear, and other electronic facilities to fulfill her mission as a command ship for Amphibious Task Force and Landing Force Commanders during Amphibious Opera- tions. The task includes the landing of troops, air and gunfire support, task force protection and logistics support. A description of BLUE RIDGE would not be complete without mention of her twenty- knot-plus speed capability. However, not only in speed, but also in the category of ship habitability — BLUE RIDGE is a great improvement in ship design. problem of Control and BLUE RIDGE Recreation rooms, air conditioning, ship ' s stores, spacious galleys and messing areas all help make life at sea a great deal more pleasant for crew and embarked staffs. BLUE RIDGE has accommodations for 268 officers and 1200 enlisted men. BLUE RIDGE departed the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in mid-February of 1971 and set sail for her homeport of San Diego. She deployed to the Western Pacific for the first time in January of 1972 and served as flagship for Commander Amphibious Force, U.S. SEVENTH Fleet and Commanding General, NINTH Marine Amphibious Brigade. BLUE RIDGE participated in several opera- tions during a North Vietnamese spring offensive and spent considerable time off the coast of Vietnam, including stints of 63 and 37 consecutive days. She ended her first deployment in August of 1972. BLUE RIDGE ' S second WESTPAC cruise began in late February of 1973. She was not needed in Vietnamese waters this time, however, as a peace treaty had been signed in that worn-torn area and American forces were no longer used there. BLUE RIDGE ' s job remained the same in WESTPAC as she continued to serve as flagship for PHIBFOR- SEVENTHFLT. This time her mission dealt with training joint amphibious operations with the Navy of the Republic of the Philippines. She also served as a flagship during Operation Golden Dragon, the first large-scale exercise with Korean forces in many years. In addition, BLUE RIDGE made several interesting and relaxing port visits while deployed. Among the ports visited were Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan. She again operated out of White Beach, Okinawa while overseas. BLUE RIDGE returned to the United States in late October 1973. i