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ESG 7 / CTF 76 News

Blue Ridge Conducts Submarine Familiarization with USS Asheville
June 17, 2020 — PHILLIPPINE SEA – USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) participated in a submarine familiarization (SUBFAM) training with the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758), June 14. The SUBFAM gave the crew of Blue Ridge the chance to observe and operate with a submarine. “The purpose of this training is to familiarize the crew of Blue... MORE

PHILLIPPINE SEA (June 14, 2020) Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine, USS Asheville (SSN 758), transits alongside U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) during a submarine familiarization (SUBFAM). The SUBFAM was conducted so Blue Ridge's crew and embarked 7th Fleet staff could observe the characteristics of a submarine and how it looks both digitally and visually at periscope depth. Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy, and, as 7th Fleet flagship, actively works to foster relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

HSC-25 rescues hikers near Pagat Caves
June 16, 2020 — ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (June 15, 2020) – The Guam-based “Island Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 responded to a search and rescue (SAR) request from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam for three missing hikers, June 14.The three men were reported missing late on Saturday in the Pagat Caves area on Guam’s eastern shore. Guam Fire... MORE

Official U.S. Navy photo of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Island Knights of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25

Blue Ridge Pulls Into Guam for Second Safe Haven Liberty
June 10, 2020 — Apra Harbor, GUAM -- U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked 7th Fleet staff pulled into Guam for a Safe Haven Liberty port visit June 11.The visit is the second of its kind since the ship pulled into Okinawa in May, enhancing liberty options for 7th Fleet ships conducting COVID mitigations.During Blue Ridge’s liberty, Sailors... MORE

U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), her crew and embarked 7th Fleet staff, prepare to enter port in Naval Base, Guam, for Blue Ridge's second Safe Haven Liberty June 11, 2020. Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy and, as 7th Fleet command ship, actively works to foster relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S., Singapore navies exercise together in the South China Sea
May 27, 2020 — SOUTH CHINA SEA – The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) and the Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable-class multi-role stealth frigate RSS Steadfast (FFS 70) conducted a bilateral exercise in the South China Sea, May 24-25.The events were an opportunity for Gabrielle Giffords and Steadfast to practice and... MORE

SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 25, 2020) The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), right, exercises with the Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable-class multi-role stealth frigate RSS Steadfast (FFS 70) in the South China Sea, May 25, 2020. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force.

USS Blue Ridge Arrives in Okinawa for Limited Port Call
May 24, 2020 — OKINAWA, Japan -- U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked 7th Fleet staff pulled into Okinawa, Japan, May 24, making the ship’s first port visit in more than 70 days.While on liberty, Sailors will have limited access to specific designated areas on the pier and neighboring beach. This type of “Safe Haven” liberty allows for... MORE

OKINAWA, Japan (May 24, 2020) - U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrives in White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan. Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy and, as 7th Fleet command ship, actively works to foster relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

HSC-25 provides urgent MEDEVAC from cruise ship
May 22, 2020 — ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (May 22, 2020) – The Guam-based “Island Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 responded to a medical evacuation request for a patient requiring emergency medical treatment, May 16.U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam notified HSC-25 of the patient in critical condition requiring immediate transport for emergency... MORE

Official file photo of a U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25.

U.S. Navy Maintains Persistent Presence Near West Capella
May 12, 2020 — SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 12, 2020) – A U.S. Navy ship conducted presence operations near Panamanian flagged drillship, West Capella, May 12.The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) operated in the southern South China Sea marking the second time that an LCS patrolled there since USS Montgomery (LCS 8) sailed with... MORE

SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 12, 2020) The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts routine operations near the Panamanian flagged drill ship, West Capella, May 12, 2020. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force.

Montgomery, Cesar Chavez operate near West Capella
May 7, 2020 — The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8) and the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) conducted presence operations in international waters and airspace near Panamanian flagged drill ship, West Capella, May 7... MORE

USS Montgomery (LCS 8) and USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) operate near drillship West Capella

America, Akebono sail together in East China Sea
April 12, 2020 — Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit joined Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Murasame class destroyer JS Akebono (DD 108) for a series of collaborative events while sailing in the Philippine Sea and East China Sea, April 9-11... MORE

JS Akebono (DD 108) sails with USS America (LHA 6)

U.S, Japan Operate Together in Andaman Sea
April 4, 2020 — The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Akizuki-class destroyer JS Teruzuki (DD 116) conducted operations together, while sailing through the Andaman Sea, April 2... MORE

The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), top, sails alongside the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Akizuki-class destroyer JS Teruzuki (DD 116) during a cooperative deployment, April 2, 2020.