Blue Ridge Sailors Visit Malaysia

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cale Hatch, USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs

PORT KLANG, Malaysia (NNS) -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Port Klang, Malaysia, March 7, for the ship's first port visit to the city since October 2009.

Port Kelang, located on the Strait of Malacca, is the leading port of Malaysia and the port of its capital, Kuala Lumpur.

While in Port Klang, Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet staff Sailors will have the opportunity to interact with local residents through community service projects at Juara Children's Home and PBS Skills Training.

The crew will also be able to experience the history, culture and sights of Malaysia, while taking part in more than 10 tours throughout the area.

"This is my first time visiting Kuala Lumpur," said Cryptologic Technician 2nd Class (Interpretive) James Huynh, an interpreter aboard Blue Ridge, "It's really beautiful. I'm going on a tour to an elephant sanctuary where you can see them in their habitat and even swim with them."

Blue Ridge serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force. Blue Ridge is the command ship for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. CTF 76 is headquartered aboard White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.