Blue Ridge (LCC 19) - Naval Cruise Book

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ports of the Western Pacific. The approximately 75 ships, 500 aircraft and 60,000 sailors and Marines have become an integral part of the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean defense comunity, and they stand ready to extend a strong hand of friendship under the Fleet motto, Ready Power for Peace . Ready Power for Peace 1 — ,- 1-, — l,.. . m n g HjjjjjjJH JHH B Hf JlkH|j ' -» jr--» « Bmj K -- !• jcse M B successfully : lUyAGOEZ ; • r was t ' j ' - ' . ' r Ocean were -eUSS KITTY j(irM iv Battle ' .;,3! ;: ' S -e ,fij»i)fl tne UNITED STATES SEVENTH FLEET 11 tmiiMtitaiaiimMmitm

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The U. S. SEVENTH Fleet was established March 15, 1943, when the Southwest Pacific Force was renamed. The Fleet participated in several World War II Pacific campaigns, the most famous of which was at Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. After the war, the coast of mainland China became the Fleet ' s operating area, and in 1947 its name was changed again to Naval Forces Western Pacific. Three years later the official designation reverted to SEVENTH Fleet just prior to the outbreak of hostilities in Korea. SEVENTH Fleet units participated in every major operation of the Korean War. Two days after South Korea was invaded in June 1950, Task Force 77, the Fleet ' s Attack Carrier Striking Force, was formed. The first Navy jet aircraft used in combat flew from a task force 77 carrier, and the famous landings in Inchon, Korea were launched from SEVENTH Fleet amphibious ships. Combat action successes in Korea demonstrat- ed the readiness and mobility of the Fleet. In early 1955, Fleet units evacuated about 38,000 military and civilian personnel from the Nationalist Chinese Tachan Islands, which had come under attack from the mainland. The presence of Fleet units in the South China Sea cooled another hot spot in 1959, when political unrest in Laos threatened to spread to other Southeast Asia countries. Fighting again broke out in Laos in 1962. This time a SEVENTH Fleet amphibious squadron, at the direction of the U. S. Government, was quickly moved to Thailand. At the same time, 1400 Fleet Marines landed in Bangkok, while SEVENTH Fleet carriers and antisubmarine forces operated in the South China Sea. In August 1964, two U. S. destroyers were attacked by North Vietnamese PT boats in international waters in the Tonkin Gulf. The act triggered further U. S. involvement in the Vietnam conflict as aircraft from Task Force 77 carriers were launched against targets in North Vietnam. Throughout the following decade, the SEVENTH Fleet was heavily engaged in combat operations against North Vietnam and enemy forces in South Vietnam — through attack carrier air strikes, naval gunfire strikes, amphibious operations, patrol and reconnaissance operations and mine warfare. In 1973, a ceasefire agreement was signed at negotiations in Paris, after which SEVENTH Fleet conducted mine countermeasure oper ations in North Vietnam. Sustained Indian Ocean operations began during the same period when a five ship task group led by the aircraft carrier USS HANCOCK deployed to the Arabian Sea. The Fleet ' s continued involvement in Southeast Asia culminated in the spring of 1975, when Fleet units successfully evacuated thousands of refugees from Cambodia and South Vietnam when those two countries fell to opposing forces. In May 1975, SEVENTH Fleet units successfully recovered the American merchant ship MAYAGUEZ and her crew after their seizure on the high seas by hostile Cambodian forces. Most recently SEVENTH Fleet units have assisted thousands of Vietnamese Boat People in rescue operations at sea. SEVENTH Fleet units in the Indian Ocean were augmented in November 1979, when the USS KITTY HAWK Battle Group joined the USS MIDWAY Battle Group during the Iranian crisis, bringing the U. S. Naval presence in the Indian Ocean to over 16,000 sailors and 25 ships. Shortly thereafter, in January 1980, the USS NIMITZ Battle Group arrived from the Mediterran- ean to augment the SEVENTH Fleet. From World War II, to Korea, to Vietnam, the United States SEVENTH Fleet has always been prepared to respond to events in its 50 million square mile operating area. The ships of SEVENTH Fleet are a familiar sight on the high seas and in the friendly 10

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CDR C. TORTORA, USN PRESENT XO Commander Tortora enlisted in tine U. S. Navy in May, 1957 and attended the Navy Preparatory School in Bainbridge, MD, prior to enrolling as a midshipman at the U. S. Naval Academy in July 1958. He received his commission upon graduation in 1962, and qualified in Submarines in 1964. As a Submariner, Commander Tortora served in each of the major shipboard departments while aboard USS DARTER (SS-576), USS SABLEFISH (SS-303), USS COBBLER (SS-344), and USS CLAMAGORE (SS-343). He has commanded the USS TANG (SS-563), and subsequently served as XO on the USS HOWARD W. GILMORE (AS-16), and qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer. Commander Tortora has also served on the staffs of COMSUBRON SIXTEEN, COMSUBDEVRON TWELVE and Submarine School. He earned his Master of Science degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School, graduating w ith distinction in March 1971. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards). Navy Achievement Medal (two awards). Navy Unit Commen- dation, and the Spanish Navy Cross of Merit. Also the National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Civil Action Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze stars. Commander Tortora is married to the former M. L. Munoz of Puerto De Santa Maria, Spain. They have four boys, Paul, Robert, Frank, and William. FORMER XO Commander Fredrick M. Frick enlisted in the Navy in January 1957 and attained the rank of Electronics Technician First Class. After being commissioned in 1962, he served in the electronics field as a CIC Officer, EMO and Operations Officer on both ship and shore billets. Prior to coming to BLUE RIDGE, Commander Frick served three years on the staff of Commander Naval Surface Forces Pacific Fleet. During the first half of that tour, he was the SURFPAC project manager for the introduction of new ship classes. While during his second half he assumed additional duties as Force Anti-Air Warfare Readiness and Training Officer. Commander Frick is a native of Arizona and is married to the former Carol Barnes of Virginia Beach, Virginia. They have three children. Commander Frick reported to the USS O ' CALLAHAN (FF-1051) as Commanding Officer. Commander Frick departed the BLUE RIDGE on 19 March 1981. 1 CDR F. M. Frick, USN