Blue Ridge (LCC 19) - Naval Cruise Book

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DEDICATION Commander SEVENTH Fleet, his staff and his flagship, USS BLUE RIDGE, travel extensively in the Western Pacific to represent and protect the interests of the United States. The period of time from Summer 1980 to Fall 1981 depicted in this book is but a snapshot in the illustrious history of the SEVENTH Fleet. Many of these men have gone to other duties but the tradition of pride and professionalism continues. This cruise book is a chronicle of challenge, accomplishment and adventure. And more, it is the story of proud men serving their country with distinction. % ' . ' cQ.wvAJU J. D. CHAMBERLAIN Captain, U. S. Navy Commanding Officer USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19)

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USS BLUE RIDGE LCC-19 7th FLEET FLAGSHIP 1980-1981 HOMEPORTED IN YOKOSUKA, JAPAN

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Unlike her World War II predecessor of the same name, which had to be converted from a merchantman to an Amphibious Force Flagship, the new 620-foot UNITED STATES SHIP BLUE RIDGE represents a unique effort and achievement in the Navy ' s command and control ship design. Here for the first time is a platform built from the keel up to accomplish the mission of command and control coordination. In this 18,200 ton ship are found the facilities to direct and manage every phase of a complex naval operation. The BLUE RIDGE represents the accumulated knowledge of four decades of the Navy ' s experience in the difficult problem of effective control and coordination. Initially conceived in 1963, BLUE RIDGE was in the planning and design stage for four years before construction finally began at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in early 1967. Three and a half years later on 14 November 1970, she was comissioned. BLUE RIDGE utilizes her main battery of computers, communications gear, and other electronic facilities to fulfill her mission as a flagship for the United States SEVENTH Fleet and her secondary function as a command ship for the Amphibious Task Force and Landing Force Commanders during all phases of fleetwide operations. To maximize the Task Force and Landing Force Commanders ' ability to effectively utilize the vast amount of incoming information, BLUE RIDGE has a modular command and control complex which allows precise control of each aspect of naval warfare in a specific control module. At the heart of the command and control complex are two computer systems — the Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) and the Amphibious Support Informa- tion System (ASIS). NTDS, through information provided by BLUE RIDGE radars, as well as through data links with other fleet ships, will provide a complete tactical picture of air, surface and subsurface contacts. From the NTDS picture the most expeditious and coordinated weapons assignments may be made to protect the Task Force from attack. ASIS provides embarked commanders with instantaneous logistical and targeting information. In addition to the two major computers mentioned above, an extremely refined communications system is also an integral part of the ship ' s radical new design. Through an automated patch and computer-controlled switching matrix, any combination of communication equipment desired may be quickly connected. The clean topside area is the result of careful design intended to keep the ship ' s interference to her own communications system at a minimum. A description of BLUE RIDGE would not be complete without mention of her twenty-knot plus speed capability. She is a great improvement in ship design, not only in speed, but also in habitability. Recreation rooms, air conditioning, ship ' s stores, spacious galleys and messing areas all help make life at sea a great deal more pleasant for the crew and embarked staffs. BLUE RIDGE has accomodations for 268 officers and 1200 enlisted men. BLUE RIDGE ' S humanitarian accomplishments include the rescue of 92 Vietnamese refugees from the Malacca Straits. She has won the Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Battle Efficiency E, among other awards. Since July 17, 1979, Yokosuka Naval Base has been home for the BLUE RIDGE. The ship makes regular port visits to Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Republic of the Philippines. HHiiiiH