U.S. and Hong Kong (2007)

United State Navy
Commander, Seventh Fleet

Blue Ridge arrives in Hong Kong

By USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs
Posted: 02/03/2007

HONG KONG - USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and the embarked Seventh Fleet staff arrived in Hong Kong Feb. 2 for a brief port visit. The Seventh Fleet flagship's approximately 1,000 crew members and embarked staff will have the opportunity to enjoy visiting one of the world's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities, while fostering friendship and cultural relations.

Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. Jeff Bartkoski and is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. It is the amphibious command ship of the Seventh Fleet, providing command and control resources to the Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet.

"The Chinese-American relationship is very important, and visiting Hong Kong gives us the opportunity to strengthen that relationship," said Bartkoski. "My crew and I are looking forward to experiencing the tourist destinations as well as the exciting culture the Pearl of the Orient has to offer."

"The Blue Ridge has been here many times over the years," Bartkoski added. "Our visits to Hong Kong have always served as an example of the positive relationship that exists between the U.S. Navy and this great city."

USS Blue Ridge is a Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ship. As the flagship for Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet, Blue Ridge provides the highest quality capability for seagoing command-and-control of theater level forces by naval and joint commanders during peacetime or conflict, and provides preeminent naval support for U.S. diplomatic initiatives and objectives. Blue Ridge is 634 feet long, 108 feet wide, and displaces 18, 874 tons fully loaded. The ship can reach speeds of 23 knots and has a complement of 819 ship's company and approximately 240 staff personnel.

-USN-