Blue Ridge Completes Patrol, Returns to Yokosuka for Scheduled Maintenance Period

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob Waldrop, USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked 7th Fleet staff returned to Yokosuka, Japan Sept. 2, concluding a five-week patrol and successfully strengthening cooperative theater security capabilities with Indo-Asia-Pacific region navies.

Blue Ridge will enter an extended Ship's Restricted Availability (SRA) period, which will allow the crew and ship repair facility workers to conduct maintenance on the ship's most vital components.

"SRA is an allotted period of time used for performing repairs and updating the ship's equipment," said Senior Chief Gas Turbine System Technician Wilfredo Ignacio. "It's also the perfect time for us to complete routine maintenance since the systems will already be shut down."

During the patrol Blue Ridge hosted personnel from Afloat Training Group (ATG) Pacific as they assessed the crew's damage control and administrative training capabilities.

"We're here to evaluate administrative and training programs and to develop a solid training schedule for the ship's future," said Senior Chief Damage Controlman Christopher Langteau, with ATG. "These assessments are critical to the ship's ability to stay consistently mission ready."

Blue Ridge has been forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan for 34 years. As the flag ship for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Robert L. Thomas, Blue Ridge is vital in maintaining partnerships in the 7th Fleet area of operations.