U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) operated with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) JS Kongo (DDG 173), March 29, 2021 as a test of the partner nation's combined. the Naval Communications Station, San Miguel, United States Naval Forces Central Command, "USS Denver to Decommission after 46 Years of Service", "Blue Ridge Now 2nd Oldest Behind Constitution", "2 Navy ships getting new lease on life courtesy of budget concerns", "USS Blue Ridge Crew Completes Light-Off Assessment, Ignites Boilers", "Policy Regarding Use of the U.S. Navy Flag, Battle Streamers, U.S. Navy Infantry Battalion Flag and the First Navy Jack", Welcome Aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) 1971 file 02 of 10, Blue Ridge First Insurv in Philly Shipyard BEACON Pub page 1 of 2, Blue Ridge "Crossing The Line" 1971 Certificate, Welcome Aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) 1971 page 06 of 10, "Command History Reports: '72, '73, '74-'75, '76-'77, '77. Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, paid a visit to the crew of the aircraft, RT @SecArmy: Today at @AEI, @USARPAC_CG & I will reinforce the best way to avoid fighting a war is to make it clear we would win such a war, RT @PACAF: A @usairforce A-10C Thunderbolt II, 25th Fighter Squadron, receives a hot-pit refuel at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. South Vietnamese refugees approach the USS Kirk in a HUEY. The advanced computer system, extensive communications package and modern surveillance and detection systems was molded into the most advanced joint amphibious command and control center ever constructed.[10]. Late in March 1975 and late in Blue Ridge's third WestPac, the deteriorating military and political situation in Cambodia and South Vietnam disrupted Blue Ridge's operational plans as had occurred in late March 1972. Crew Safe After U.S. Navy Helicopter Goes Down in Philippine Sea By U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs | Jan. 25, 2020 PHILIPPINE SEA . Demerly is an experienced parachutist, holds advanced SCUBA certifications, has climbed the highest mountains on three continents and visited all seven continents and has flown several types of light aircraft. Menu. Blue Ridge participates routinely in U.S. and allied training exercises each year with countries throughout the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. As a whole, this operation was fast-paced and entirely successful, said Bryan Blake, SUPSALVs Deep Ocean Program Manager. Winds: NE 23 to 31 knots. The only thing that will limit me is myself." "[23], On the first of July, while steaming outside of Da Nang Harbor, in the combat zone and the ship's port 3-inch gun manned, Blue Ridge had her first change of command. Another Huey meets it fate from the deck of USS Blue Ridge. Independence-variant littoral combat ships USS Jackson (LCS 6) and USS Tulsa (LCS 16) sailed with Germany Navy frigate FGS Bayern (F 217) in the Philippine Sea, and Tulsa hosted Bayern crewmembers for ship tours while moored at Naval Base Guam, Oct. 18 & 21. We are the command and control ship for U.S. 7th Fleet. Of the 37 total refugees aboard the second boat, all were severely dehydrated, many so weak they could not stand, and had to be hoisted aboard Blue Ridge. Parliamentary Friendship Association, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. The Easter Counter-Offensive was "the largest concentration of wartime amphibious force since the Inchon and Wonsan landings of the Korean War. And that the armed forces know a thing or two about teaching honor and responsibility. Blue Ridge last visited Jakarta May 2014. USS Blue Ridge LCC-19 Rate MM Machinist's Mate. [25], Blue Ridge earned the Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award several times, including 2010.[58]. Blue Ridge arrived in San Diego 23 October [1973].[27]. [15], Blue Ridge arrived at San Diego on 9 April, with Rear Admiral David M. Rubel, U.S. Navy, Commander Amphibious Group Three and staff embarked. Detailed information from the reference resource naval-technology.com said that the MH-60S, uses the baseline structure of the Black Hawk with Seahawk T-700-GE-401C engines, hover-in-flight refueling and fuel dumping. For RATING SHIRTS - Click on your Rating Abbreviation below: AB. Following search and rescue efforts all five crewmembers were found uninjured. The helicopter, a twin-engine Sikorsky Seahawk, crashed into the Pacific Ocean last year while operating from the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19). On 12 April, in response to the Cambodian government's crumbling defenses around the capital of Phnom Penh, Operation Eagle Pull evacuated 289 Americans, Cambodians and third country nationals by helicopter to the USSOkinawa. She is currently forward-deployed to U.S. Navy Fleet Activities, Yokosuka in Japan, and is the third Navy ship named after the Blue Ridge Mountains, a range of mountains in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States. An extremely refined communications system was also an integral part of the ship's radical new design. [38] Five helicopters crashed on the ship that day, not counting ones ditched or abandoned overboard. A dramatic multinational rescue took place in the Philippine Sea off the island of Okinawa on Saturday when a U.S. Navy MH-60S with five crewmen on board went down in the open ocean. To free up space on the flight deck, RVNAF helicopters were ditched by their pilots in the South China Sea after unloading their refugees on ship. From 21 July 1979 through 30 June 1984, Blue Ridge and other ships in the West Pacific engaged in operation Boat People, receiving the Humanitarian Service Medal, rescuing refugees from Vietnam. lenni lenape symbols. [25][57] Blue Ridge received Humanitarian Service Medals for two different operations in 1980 and 1984 for rescuing Vietnamese boat people. for first WESTPAC via Pearl 7 Jan, Shellback Initiation - 27 FEB 1972 - Pacific Ocean, Vietnam Service Medal One Star for Consolidation II, Vietnam Service Medal second star for Vietnam Ceasefire, 28 June RVN President Nguyen Van Thieu visits Blue Ridge, Combat Action Ribbon for NVN DMZ Tiger Island, Vietnam Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, BR's awarded it's first Battle Printed Material. No regrets.". ABOARD USS MOUNT WHITNEY, IN THE BALTIC SEA Six flag and general officers staffs roam the ship, moving from individual offices to the operations center hub and back again to command and control multinational forces at sea and ashore. : 2 https://t.co/Z4ivJSMwwo, RT @USPacificFleet: It happened one nightjust last month. All Rights Reserved. [25], Blue Ridge was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and has two campaign stars one for Consolidation II '72 Campaign and the second for Vietnam Ceasefire '72 Campaign (Easter Counter-Offensive) with a total of 99 days in the combat zone, not counting 18 uncredited days in July 1972. Registration and communicating with shipmates at Hullnumber.com is FREE FOREVER. [49] On 9 May 2010, sailors from Blue Ridge took part in a Victory Day Parade of the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet in the city of Vladivostok, being assembled on the city square next to French sailors. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Asher, USN, to Cincpac, dated Dec. 11, 1941. Department of Defense photo # DN-SN-84-09734 by PH1 James Franzen, USN. Three aircrew were recovered by a Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60 search and rescue helicopter, and the other two were recovered by a USS Blue Ridge MH-60S helicopter, read the statement. 11 Feb Steams from Philly Naval Shipyard to San Diego, Shellback Initiation - 26 FEB 1971 - Atlantic Ocean, Sails with Mt Whitney off Norfork (Super 8 film), Port call Rio de Janeiro Brazil 4-6 March. "The 33d MAU and subordinate units were awarded the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for their efforts", but Blue Ridge was not. [26], On 18 August 1972, Blue Ridge returned to San Diego. Craig Sicola as commanding officer of U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) in a small, socially distanced ceremony aboard the ship . The following is the complete statement from U.S. 7th Fleet. These systems are also instrumental in its secondary function as a command ship for the Amphibious Task Force and Landing Force Commanders during all phases of fleetwide operations, as well as a Commander Joint Task Force (CJTF) flagship when national interests require it. On 8 October, Blue Ridge steamed for homeport San Diego carrying a Patrol Craft Fast on the helicopter deck. The second containing 37 were embarked onboard Blue Ridge shortly after 1800. Every branch of the military used asbestos during the 20th century. Asbestos Exposure on U.S. Navy Ships. YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) held a change of command ceremony on the ship's main deck Nov. 16. While on liberty, Sailors will have limited access to specific designated areas on the pier and neighboring beach. @PacificMarines from @31stMeu conduct a live-fire training with @JGSDF_pr #Soldiers from the 1st Regimental https://t.co/2IiGJvYrGn, During #BlackHistoryMonth, we honor the historic contributions of Black American service members and thank all of t https://t.co/8ygd5wORBB, RT @ExerciseCG: U.S. Army Col. Kenneth Burgess conducts battlefield circulation during Cobra Gold 2023 in Chuk Samet Port, Thailand, Feb. 2, RT @PacificMarines: #OurMarines and Sailors from Task Force 76/3 meet with service members from the @jmsdf_pao_eng and the @Japan_GSDF to d, RT @uscgfmsg: Happy 152nd Anniversary of the Steamboat Inspection Service from our U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam #Preventi, A @PACAF B-1B Lancer flies alongside F-16 Fighting Falcons in support of a #BomberTaskForce mission. https://t.co/GgogJ5wFaW, RT @CobraGoldRTARF: On February 28, 2023, Cobra Gold 2023 Opening Ceremony at the Royal Thai Naval Airbase, Royal Thai Air Fleet in Rayong. Five sailors are in stable condition following the crash of their MH-60S helicopter in the Philippine Sea, U.S. 7th Fleet said on Saturday. The Joint Maritime Command Information System(JMCIS) consists of numerous powerful computers distributed throughout the ship from which information and data from worldwide sources are entered into a central database. None of the other seven personnel on scene attempted any similar act or endangered themselves to such a degree to come to the entangled Sailor's aid.". Robert Hurst. The MH-60S was operating from 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) when it went down about 5:15 p.m. local time, read a statement from the Navy. This was known as the Tuna War, but no incident occurred. The printing section on board Blue Ridge reproduced thousands of signs in Vietnamese including a simplified instruction card for the small unit leader that included basic Vietnamese phrases and human relations oriented "do's and don'ts. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information. [27][28][29], At the end of Pagasa II, bad tropical weather forced the transfer of the staff from Blue Ridge to Denver, after a very short stay in Subic Bay, to occur in White Beach instead, on 7 October. [11] U.S. Navy long-range communications were heavily reliant on high frequency radio systems in the 1970s and have evolved to predominantly satellite communications in the 2000s. DD387/A16 Serial 062 U.S.S. Of the 54 total refugees aboard the first boat, all were in good health, having been to sea only a few days. A search and rescue operation was launched after the MH-60S helicopter crashed around 4:30 p.m. about 60 nautical miles off San Diego, the Navy's U.S. Pacific Fleet said in an initial statement. Recovery Act 2023 Wall Calendar - CLICK HERE. Weather conditions in the region at the time of the rescue and forecasted until Sunday were reported by Buoyweather.com as, Strong NE winds with very choppy seas. A search-and-salvage team has located and recovered - from a depth of 5,300 feet - the five crewmembers and MH-60S helicopter that crashed while operating on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Aug. 31, the Navy announced Tuesday. [5][6][7], Blue Ridge was put "in commission special" on 14 November 1970, at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as an Amphibious Command and Control (LCC) ship, with Captain Kent J. Carroll as the commanding officer. DoD Inspector General On 28 December 1918, the ship arrived at the Boston Navy Yard from the Great Lakes. DoD FOIA And it is well to be reminded that in routine training and routine operations the men and women of the armed services are at risk, and have chosen to be. Main ship particulars are length of 193 m and beam of 33 m. Maps below show the following voyage data - Present Location, NExt port, Estimated (ETA) and Predicted Time of . He said yes, and oh, by the way, I've joined the Navy. On Monday, 1 October 1973, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow was notified that the Soviet trawler AGI Kursograph found an American sailor in Blue Ridge's operation area and the ensign was returned safely to Blue Ridge the next day after diplomatic negotiations. BLUE RIDGE carries enough food to feed the crew for 90 days and can transport supplies to support an emergency evacuation of 3,000 people. He was freed when the rope severed one of his legs (and four fingers above the knuckles). The aircraft began full-rate production in 2002 and was first deployed aboard the USS Essex in 2003. Read More . The USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) deployment history and significant events of her service career follow: LCC-19 Deployments - Major Events LCC-19 General Specifications Class: Blue Ridge class command ship Named for: Blue Ridge Mountains Complement: 52 Officers and 790 Enlisted Displacement: 19609 tons Length: 194 m Beam: 108 feet Flank Speed: 23 knots [21], On 5 April 1972, Blue Ridge departed for the war zone, the Gulf of Tonkin. "They say that if I want to, I can run a marathon. Timothy Waits relieved Capt. by Seaman Sarah Eaton. The USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19), is the first of two Blue Ridge class command ships. USS Blue Ridge Conducts Change of Command By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Hall YOKOSUKA, Japan - Capt. He is thinking of going to medical school. "This part is a little bit fuzzy to me," says Mr. Johnson about what he did. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: ydelecnormandie.com, +33974562807 Installation et rnovation de rseau lectrique Pont-Audemerr, Lisieux, Le Havre-lectricit btiment,Installation lectrique | SARL YD ELEC NORMANDIE [52][5], On 18 July 1972, Blue Ridge was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon for her action at Tiger Island, and on 9 August 1972, the ship was awarded the Battle "E" by the commander Amphibious Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. 99. [19][25][53][54], Blue Ridge may have earned the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal for six months of service off South Vietnam from February to July 1972 as listed by NavSource.org. [4] Blue Ridge is expected to remain in service until 2039. The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet command ship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), and the embarked Commander, 7th Fleet staff arrived in Hong Kong, Feb. 17, 2003. BLUE RIDGE represents the accumulated knowledge of four decades of the Navy's experience in meeting difficult challenges of Control and Coordination. The MH-60S has the Black Hawks 9,000lb external cargo hook, gunners window, landing gear with tie-downs and wire strike protection, along with hover IR suppresser, automatic stabilization equipment and fuel cells. Additional reports said five of the three aircrew were sent to U.S. Join the Military One of Blue Ridge's ensigns went overboard unnoticed and when found absent for a watch muster, a compartment search was conducted aboard the ship for the missing officer. The official "summary of action" recommending the Navy and Marine Corps Medal says: "Immediately, without hesitation, and in the face of known risk to his own life, Ensign Johnson ran to the assistance of the entrapped line handler who was in imminent peril of losing the lower part of his leg. Wallace and Sallie Johnson of Hickory, gave this account: On the morning of Aug. 23, the USS Blue Ridge sat New design features incorporated into the Knighthawk include the tail cone bulkhead and the large cabin is fitted with a new cabin cargo handling system.. 5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars (1) Paperback. The five crewmembers were located and rescued by a joint Japanese/U.S. The result was a ship specifically designed from the keel up as a command and control ship. The leg of Seaman Steven Wright, 21, from Pine Bluff, Ark., became tangled in a loop of the messenger line which, under extreme tension from the tug, dragged Mr. Wright across the deck and pulled his leg into a "chock," an oval opening about a foot long and eight inches wide through which ropes pass. UNDERWAY! [19] It was the only one Blue Ridge received prior to substantial changes made to the award in 1976 and is not listed as a Navy "E" Ribbon on the unit awards page. March 1, 2023 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Ten U.S. Air Force airfield experts from Yokota and Andersen Air Base flew to the Japanese island of Iwo Jima to exchange skills with Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force March 1, 2023 - YOKOSUKA, Japan -- Commander, Submarine Group 7 hosted their counterparts from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Royal Australian Armed Forces personnel from the Australian Headquarters Joint Operations March 1, 2023 - ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- The Department of the Air Force (DAF) awarded The Boeing Company a contract to begin work on the E-7A weapon system Feb 28. Autoryzowany zakad usugowy AGD . Brett E.. [30] Marines and sailors hastily trained for crowd control, evacuation procedures, and a Vietnamese orientation course. [31] However North Vietnamese forces captured Da Nang on 29 March. A 35 foot fishing boat approaches USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19). Asbestos was once considered an ideal substance for military assets because it is fireproof, lightweight, inexpensive, and corrosion-proof. Additional port visits were planned, but in late March 1972, as Blue Ridge prepared at White Beach, Okinawa for exercise Golden Dragon, North Vietnam invaded South Vietnam across the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on 30 March 1972 in their Easter Offensive. USA.gov A Mark 33 twin 3"/50 gun mount on Blue Ridge, 1991. USS Blue Ridge (LLC-19), now the oldest ship in the U.S. Navy's operational fleet, has just has just emerged from an extended dry-dock maintenance and upgrade period at its home port in. airmessage vs blue bubbles; southside legend strain effects; abd insurance and financial services; valenzuela city ordinance violation fines; my summer car cheatbox; vfs global japan visa nepal contact number; beaver owl fox dolphin personality test; Community. Matt Brown said But Johnson and his parents, the Rev. [3] Blue Ridge, as the U.S. Navy's active commissioned ship having the longest total period as active, flies the First Navy Jack instead of the jack of the United States. Demerly studied journalism at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Michigan. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. Cope North 23: Trilateral Integration at Iwo Jima Strengthens capabilities, Submarine Group 7 Hosts Trilateral Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare Tabletop Exercise and Working Group in Yokosuka, Joint Statement on Advancing the U.S.-Mongolia Economic Partnership, Ambassador Chungs Remarks at Relaunch of the Sri Lanka-U.S. Navy personnel aboard USS Blue Ridge push a helicopter overboard off the coast of Vietnam to make room for more evacuation flights from Saigon, April 29, 1975. Caption: Operation Frequent Wind, April 29, 1975 A Vietnamese Air Force HU-1 Huey Helicopter is deliberately ditched near USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), as one of the ship's boats stands by to pick up the pilot. 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. He says, matter-of-factly, that officers are trained to be responsible for the well-being of their men, and besides, that's the way his parents-- they are at his bedside this day, having made the seven-hour drive from Hickory for another stay with their son -- raised him. Adm. Dav "We must work together, across academia, industry, the government, and the milit "USINDOPACOMs cyber strategy emphasizes backing the regions joint and combined "To all our veterans who've worn the cloth of our nation, thank you for answerin "It's important that the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Australia & other friends & a United States Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. David L. Goldfein spent his early Its Happening. Initially USS BLUE RIDGE assumed the schedule of any West Coast "Amphib"; deployments to the Western Pacific, alternating with state side maintenance and training. The officer inspecting the parade greeted the sailors, to which the sailors responded with a Russian-style threefold loud Ura. . "[19], Detachment "N" of the 1st Radio Battalion had deployed with the 9th MAB for the exercise in Korea. Our efforts validated the Navys deep ocean search and recovery requirements. FILE - In this file image from video provided by the U.S. Navy, the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) launches a tomahawk land attack missile in the Mediterranean Sea, on April 7, 2017 . Three aircrew were recovered by a Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60 search and rescue helicopter, and the other two were recovered by a USS Blue Ridge MH-60S helicopter. They were the first U.S. warships to enter Shanghai Harbor in 40 years and it was only the second visit by U.S. warships to the People's Republic of China since 1949. INDEPENDENCE, Mo. Y OKOSUKA, Japan- The crew of the U.S. 7th Fleet Flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) completed a week-long Light Off Assessment (LOA) and subsequent light-off of its boilers, May 22.. That day was also the day that Blue Ridge earned the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. While undergoing repairs, the war ended and eliminated the need for further service. Operation Frequent Wind - A South Vietnamese helicopter pilot and his family, safely aboard the USS Hancock, are escorted by a Marine Security Guard to the refugee area during an evacuation, Saigon, Viet Nam, April 29, 1975. . [35], The commanding officer of ProvMAG 39, Colonel McLenon, exercised control of his Marine aircraft through the Tactical Air Coordination Center (TACC) on board Blue Ridge. . The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning during an open ship event aboard USS BLUE RIDGE as part of the 43rd annual friendship day at Yokosuka, Japan, on August 3, 2019. The image in this post depicts an F/A-18E Super Hornet belonging to the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 Sunliners launching from the []. USS Blue Ridge LCC-19 - 1980. As designed, Blue Ridge was capable of supporting the staff of both the Commander of an Amphibious Task Force and the staff of the Commanding General of the Landing Force. https://t.co/g0vAuyWHSH, RT @PACAF: By day, or by night, it doesn't matter! 230105-N-GU321-1085 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Jan. 5, 2023) Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Ryan Misuraca, from Las Vegas, brazes a potable water pipe in the hull technician shop aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), Jan. 5, 2023. The MH-60S also retains the Black Hawks provisions for mounting the external pylons to carry stores and equipment, providing the added capability to carry out a wide range of missions. It was a good assignment for a young man attracted to the Navy by a desire for travel: The 7th Fleet operates from the international dateline to the east coast of Africa. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. Subject: U.S.S. Her IMO number is 1 and MMSI number is 369970669. [19] After 7 days in Subic, Blue Ridge returned to the Gulf of Tonkin until 18 July 1972 and was then ordered to the Philippines for typhoon relief along with Tripoli, Juneau, Alamo, and Cayuga. Senator from Virginia, Harry F. Byrd Jr. (thank you) to all African-Americans, past and present, fo, An MH-60S helicopter from the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 launches from the flight deck of U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) on Jan 21, 2020. Independence-variant littoral combat ships USS Jackson (LCS 6) and USS Tulsa (LCS 16) sailed with Germany Navy frigate FGS Bayern (F 217) in the Philippine Sea, and Tulsa hosted Bayern. '78", "List of Americans, British, and French military personnel detained by organs of the Ministry of State Security", "U.S. military delivers 40 tons of supplies to hardest-hit areas", " : , ", "Navy MH-60S Helicopter Crashes in the Philippine Sea off Okinawa, Crew Rescued", "Revised U.S. Fleet Plan Extends Some Ships to 70 Years", "SECNAV Announces Outstanding Food Service Winners", Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, "Index for History/Command Operations Reports, USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19)", List of approved Vietnam campaigns for the Vietnam Service Medal, List of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USS_Blue_Ridge_(LCC-19)&oldid=1138853473, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2014, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Naval Vessel Register, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, With command staff: 268 officers, 1,173 enlisted, This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 00:33. Why did he act as he did? USS BLUE RIDGE is the third ship in the Navy named after the Blue Ridge Mountains in the eastern United States. Additionally, the USS Blue Ridge accident involving a helicopter crash would throw the ship's crew into search and rescue mode. Blue - Action during December 7 Air Raid, Report of. [43], Blue Ridge performed a nine-and-a-halfmonth deployment as flagship for commander, United States Naval Forces Central Command (ComUSNavCent), during Operations Desert Shield, and Desert Storm from 28 August 1990 through 24 April 1991, receiving a Navy Unit Commendation.