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BLUE RIDGE ARRIVES IN CAIRNS
Story by USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Public Affairs
CAIRNS, Australia - U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Cairns, Australia while on patrol in the South Indo-Asia Pacific region July 27.
Blue Ridge is in Cairns fostering positive relations with regional partners and affording crew and embarked staff the opportunity to enjoy an area of Australia known for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef.
"We are working closely with our Australian partners to demonstrate our commitment to security and stability in the region," said Lt. Cmdr. James Coker, USS Blue Ridge operations officer. "Blue Ridge has met every expectation of this deployment on time and with the professionalism you would expect of U.S. Navy Sailors.”
While in Cairns, the crew will also be able to interact with Australian nationals, enjoy the local culture and take in all the sights.
Blue Ridge sailors will also get the unique opportunity to participate in a game of Australian football with local Australian football players in a sporting event hosted by the Royal Australian Navy.
“Each opportunity we have to interact with our allies helps strengthen our bond and better understand each other,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Robert Smith, Blue Ridge Morale, Welfare and Recreation sports coordinator. “I’m looking forward to learning a new sport, meeting the Australian football players and enjoying this unique experience.”
Blue Ridge port visits represent an opportunity to promote peace and stability in the South Indo-Asia-Pacific region. As the 7th Fleet flagship for Vice Adm. Scott Swift, Blue Ridge is crucial in demonstrating commitment to regional partners and fostering growing relationships.
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PACOM visits Blue Ridge
By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Jeff Troutman
>> Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, III and Australian Army Gen. David Hurley address sailors and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff members aboard U.S. 7th Fleet Flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Blue Ridge is currently in Cairns, Australia, for a scheduled port visit. Port visits represent an opportunity to promote peace and stability in the South Indo-Asia-Pacific region, demonstrate commitment to regional partners and foster growing relationships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jared Harral/Released)
CAIRNS, Australia – Sailors and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff members welcomed Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) during a port visit July 29.
Locklear is visiting commands throughout the PACOM area of responsibility to communicate command objectives and to receive feedback from sailors.
During his visit, Locklear spoke to sailors about the importance of the U.S. Navy’s role in the Pacific theater and thanked them for their successful roles during Talisman Saber 2013 (TS-13), an exercise between U.S. and Australian forces which concluded July 28.
“TS-13 has been a great demonstration of the alliance between the U.S. and Australia,” said Locklear. “I want to thank each and every one of you for your great performance during this important operation.”
Locklear was joined by Australian Army Gen. David Hurley who also commended Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet staff for their performances.
“TS-13 was a very successful operation for both the U.S. and Australian forces,” said Hurley. “On a day-to-day basis, we made a terrific effort during this exercise, and your professionalism does not go unnoticed.”
TS-13, which included more than 27,000 U.S. and Australian personnel, is a biennial training activity aimed at improving U.S. combat and Australian Defense Force readiness and interoperability as a Combined Joint Task Force. The exercise is designed to enhance multilateral collaboration in support of future combined operations, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters and illustrates the closeness of the U.S. and Australian military-to-military relationship.
As the flagship for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Scott Swift, Blue Ridge is crucial in maintaining a presence in the South Indo-Asia-Pacific region, strengthening allied ties through community service projects and conducting joint military exercises with regional partners.