USS Blue Ridge is the lead ship of the Blue Ridge class and the Seventh Fleet amphibious command ship. It is also the third ship to be named for the Blue Ridge Mountains of the eastern United States.

August 9, 2002 LCC 19 arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, for a brief port visit. The amphibious command ship is scheduled to participate in exercise Ulchi Focus 2002, an annual Republic of Korea and U.S. combined forces government military exercise designed to, evaluate, and improve crisis action measures and procedures for the combined war plans in the defense of the Republic of Korea.

December 7, The Blue Ridge is currently underway in the western Pacific, for a joint force exercise, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

February 1, 2003 The 7th Fleet command and control ship pulled to Tokyo port following a Friends and Family Day Cruise.

February 11, LCC 19 departed port of Otaru, Japan, after a four-day port visit.

March 28, Capt. J. Stephen Maynard relieved Capt. Andrew G. Sevald as commanding officer of the USS Blue Ridge, during a change of command ceremony held aboard the ship, while in Singapore port. The amphibious command and contol ship arrived in Singapore yesterday for a five-day port visit.

April 17, LCC 19 departed Apra Harbor, Guam, after a scheduled port visit.

April 22, USS Blue Ridge is currently participating in exercise Tundem Thrust '03, a joint miliatry exercise, including forces from U.S., Canada and Australia, in the Marianas Islands. The exercise will focus on crisis action planning and execution of contingency response operations.

August 8, After months of painting, chipping and grinding during a ship’s restricted availability (SRA) period, the 7th Fleet amphibious command and control ship and its crew are ready to continue their watch on the Pacific Rim.

August 10, LCC 19 departed Pyongtaek, Republic of Korea, after a three-day port visit.

August 16, USS Blue Ridge pulled into Chinhae, ROK, for a brief port visit.

August 23, The Blue Ridge arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea, for a two-day port call. The visit signified the end of phase one of Ulchi Focus Lens, an annual exercise between U.S. forces and the Republic of Korea military. Marines from the 24th Marines, a Marine Corps Reserve unit out of Kansas City, Mo., embarked USS Blue Ridge for two weeks in August to participate in exercise Ulchi Focus Lens (UFL) 2003. UFL 2003 was a combined and joint computer simulation-driven exercise, involving the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Combined Forces Command.

September 3, UFL 2003 wrapped Aug. 29, with the Marines disembarking the ship during a brief stop at Chinhae, South Korea, before the ship headed back to its forward operating base of Yokosuka, Japan.

October 4, LCC 19 departed Hakodate, Japan, after a three-day port visit. This historic city is nestled on the southeastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan’s northern-most island.

November 1, The amphibious command ship departed Hong Kong after a four-day port call.

February 5, 2004 USS Blue Ridge departed Port Kelang, Malaysia, after a three-day port visit.

February 10, The Blue Ridge arrived in Pattaya Beach, Thailand, for a four-day port visit.

February 24, Following a brief stop on Okinawa Feb. 20-22, LCC 19 pulled to Shangai, China, for a four-day port visit.

March 3, USS Blue Ridge anchored off the coast of Luzon, Republic of the Philippines, for a brief port visit in support of military staff talks.

After another quick stop on Okinawa March 8-10, LCC 19 started the journey home, making one last port visit on the way, this time to Nagoya, Japan, March 12-14. The visit was the first by a U.S. Navy ship since a call by USS Gary (FFG 51) in August 2001.

March 16, USS Blue Ridge returned to Yokosuka after a seven weeks scheduled deployment in the western Pacific. The ship left it's forward operating base Jan. 26 to conduct military-to-military talks with several countries in the region while visiting several ports.

April 12, LCC 19 pulled into Naval Ship Repair Facility dry dock in Yokosuka to undergo an extensive maintenance period, 30 million worth repairs and upgrades, for several months.

October 13, The amphibious command ship departed for the first time after a six-month dry dock period.

October 25, USS Blue Ridge departed homeport for a scheduled underway period.

November 1, Amphibious command and control ship departed Sasebo after an eventful four-day visit.

November 10, USS Blue Ridge arrived in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, for a four-day port visit.

November 14, LCC 19 pulled to Apra Harbor, Guam, for a routine port visit.

February 4, 2005 USS Blue Ridge departed Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal after a three-day port visit.

February 15, LCC 19 arrived to Goa, India, for a three-day port visit. The former Portuguese colony of Goa is a popular resort destination. Some Sailors took time during the visit to explore and found lots of other attractions even more charming than the approximately 81-mile stretch of palm tree-lined coastline.

February 22, The amphibious command ship departed Colombo, Sri Lanka, following a two-day port visit.

March 6, USS Blue Ridge departed Port Kelang, Malaysia, after a three-day port visit. Although the ship was moored in Port Kelang, most of the action took place in the neighboring city of Kuala Lumpur.

March 11, LCC 19 departed Singapore after a four-day port visit. The 7th Fleet band performed an outdoor public concert at Sentosa Island Park during the visit.

March 20, The command and control ship departed Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, after successful visits to Manila and the former U.S. Navy base at Subic Bay. USS Blue Ridge arrived in Manila on 15th for a military-to-military talks. These talks centered on a variety of issues of common interests between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.

March 24, After months of intense training and preparation, the U.S. 7th Fleet amphibious command ship successfully completed Tailored Ships Training Availability (TSTA) phase II March 19-23. TSTA II is designed to refine skills and integrate watch teams into a single organization capable of coordinating their efforts for mission accomplishment.

March 28, LCC 19 pulled to Zhanjiang, People's Republic of China, for a scheduled port visit.

April 4, USS Blue Ridge returned to Yokosuka, Japan, after scheduled deployment in the western Pacific Ocean.

May 16, The amphibious command and control ship departed Yokosuka to take part in the joint and combined exercise Talisman Sabre with U.S. and Australian forces.

June 1, LCC 19 and the embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff visited Cairns, Australia, during a four-day port visit May 26-30.

June 10, USS Blue Ridge departed Sydney after completing a successful seven-day visit that focused on preparations for the upcoming joint U.S. and Australian military exercise Talisman Saber. Talisman Saber is a joint-sponsored U.S. Pacific Command and Australian Defense Force Joint Operations Command exercise. U.S. Pacific Command units and Australian forces will conduct land, sea and air training throughout the training area.

July 5, The command and control ship departed Brisbane, Australia, after a five-day port visit.

July 7, LCC 19 pulled to Noumea, New Caledonia, for a three-day port visit.

September 10, Capt. Jeff Bartkoski relieved Capt. J. Stephen Maynard as CO of the Blue Ridge.

November 23, After wrapping up a short Ship’s Repair Availability (SRA) from Sept. 12 to Nov. 19, USS Blue Ridge steamed away from its berth in Yokosuka for three days of sea trials, testing new systems and equipment in an operational environment.

January 16, 2006 USS Blue Ridge recently deployed to complete routine port visits and community relations projects troughout the 7th Fleet AoR.

February 19, The amphibious command ship departed Hong Kong after four-day port visit.

March 24, USS Blue Ridge returned to Yokosuka after a two-month underway period in the western Pacific. The U.S. 7th Fleet Band performed in Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Busan, ROK.

May 3, The Blue Ridge is currently underway hosting a two-day Friends and Family Day Cruise.

June 22, LCC 19 pulled into Chinhae, Republic of Korea, for a scheduled port call.

June 28, USS Blue Ridge is currently in port visit to Changhai, China.

July 3, The amphibious command ship arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, to celebrate the 4th of July.

August 5, USS Blue Ridge hosted more than 10,000 Japanese visitors during the annual Friendship Day celebration.

August 31, LCC 19 is currently on a short-term deployment in Southeast Asia to support Exercise Ulchi Focus Lens (UFL) and Seventh Fleet's interoperability and training commitments in maritime operations.

September 7, USS Blue Ridge returned to homeport after a regularly scheduled underway period within the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

November 18, After a few days of sea trials, the U.S. Seventh Fleet flagship returned to Yokosuka, Japan, to embark more than 400 friends and family members for its transit to Tokyo.

December 2, The amphibious command ship is currently underway in support of bilateral exercise Terminal Fury.

January 26, 2007 USS Blue Ridge arrived in Okinawa for a scheduled port visit.

February 6, LCC 19 departed Hong Kong after a three-day port call.

February 9, USS Blue Ridge departed Manila, Philippines, after a two-day port visit. The ship and embarked 7th Fleet staff was part of Project Friendship, a humanitarian assistance/community service project with the Armed forces of the Philippines.

February 12, The amphibious command ship is currently in port of Cebu City, Philippines.

February 16, USS Blue Ridge pulled to General Santos City, Philippines, for a scheduled port call.

February 27, LCC 19 departed Singapore after a four-day port visit. The command ship arrived in Port Klang, Malaysia, March 2.

March 15, The command ship and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet Sailors and Marines visited Jakarta, Indonesia, March 8-10.

March 21, USS Blue Ridge returned to Yokosuka after a scheduled deployment.

March 27, Capt. David A. Lausman relieved Capt. Jeff Bartkoski as commanding officer, during a change of command ceremony on board the Blue Ridge.

May 23, LCC 19 departed homeport for sea trials off the coast of Japan.

June 1, USS Blue Ridge departed Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a scheduled summer deployment.

June 14, The amphibious command ship arrived in Sydney, Australia, for a port visit. The Blue Ridge will participate in exercise Talisman Sabre 2007 off the coast of Australia.

July 23, USS Blue Ridge returned to homeport after successfully participating in Exercise Talisman Saber '07.

August 16, LCC 19 arrived in Chinhae to support the combined, joint computer simulation driven, Ulchi Focus Lens exercise involving forces from the United States and Republic of Korea.

September 19, The amphibious command ship is currently undergoing a scheduled ship's restricted availability period on board Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

January 23, 2008 USS Blue Ridge is currently in White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, after completing a a two-day sea trials on 16th.

January 28, LCC 19 pulled to Hong Kong for a scheduled port visit.

February 8, The amphibious command ship recently arrived in Ishikari, Japan, for a routine port call.

March 4, USS Blue Ridge is currently off the coast of Korea participating in a joint exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2008.

March 10, The Blue Ridge returned to Yokosuka after a brief port visit to Busan, ROK.

April ?, LCC 19 departed homeport for a routine spring patrol.

May 1, USS Blue Ridge arrived in Laem Chabang, Thailand, for a scheduled port call.

May 10, The command and control ship departed Singapore after a four-day port visit.

May 12, LCC 19 pulled to Jakarta, Indonesia, for a goodwill port call.

May 17, The Blue Ridge arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, for another port visit.

May 22, The amphibious command ship arrived in Manila, Philippines, for a scheduled port call.

May 30, USS Blue Ridge pulled to Shimizu, Japan, for its final port visit of a six-week western Pacific deployment.

June 28, LCC 19 successfully completed the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) June 25, marking the end of a three-day inspection of the ship's spaces and equipment.

July 12, Vice Adm. John M. Bird relieved Vice Adm. Doug Crowder as commander of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet in a ceremony aboard the Blue Ridge. Crowder will become deputy chief of naval operations in Washington.

July 15, Capt. Thom W. Burke relieved Capt. David A. Lausman as CO of the Blue Ridge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

August 13, USS Blue Ridge departed Yokosuka for a routine underway period.

August 26, The forward-deployed amphibious command and control ship recently departed Busan, Republic of Korea, after participating in Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) 2008, a Combined Forces Command computer simulation driven exercise.

November 17, LCC 19 is currently conducting sea trials after a ship's repair availability period.

November 30, The Blue Ridge departed Hong Kong after a five-day port visit.

December 6, USS Blue Ridge departed homeport for a Friends and Family Day Cruise to Tokyo.

February 3, 2009 USS Blue Ridge departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a scheduled deployment.

February 5, The 7th Fleet flagship pulled to Nagasaki for a four-day port call.

February 19, LCC 19 arrived in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, for a scheduled port visit.

February 26, The Blue Ridge pulled to White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, for a routine port call.

March 5, The amphibious command and control ship arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea, to participate in the joint exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2009.

March 24, USS Blue Ridge returned to homeport after completing the scheduled underway period.

April 8, LCC 19 is currently underway conducting a Unit-Level Training Assessment-Certification (ULTRA C). The ship departed Yokosuka April 2 for a port visit to Tokyo.

April 17, The Blue Ridge returned to Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

April 29, USS Blue Ridge departed Sasebo, Japan, to kick off the trilateral exercise Malabar 2009 after a scheduled port visit.

May 20, The 7th Fleet flagship is currently undergoing an ammunition offload, while at anchorage in Tokyo Bay, in preparation for the Ship's Restricted Availability.

July 30, The Blue Ridge successfully completed sea trials following SRA period in preparation for a fall deployment.

August 14, LCC 19 pulled to Busan, Republic of Korea, to participate in the joint military exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) 2009. The ship returned to home Sept. 1.

September 8, USS Blue Ridge departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a scheduled fall deployment.

September 26, The amphibious command and control ship departed Noumea, New Caledonia, after a goodwill port call.

September 29, The Blue Ridge arrived in Sydney, Australia, for a scheduled port visit.

October 12, USS Blue Ridge arrived in Cairns, Australia, for a four-day port visit.

October 26, LCC 19 arrived in Port Kelang, Malaysia, for a goodwill port call.

October 29, The Blue Ridge arrived in Singapore for a scheduled port visit.

November 7, The 7th Fleet flagship pulled to Da Nang, Vietnam, for a goodwill port visit.

November 19, USS Blue Ridge returned to homeport after completing its participation in Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 21G.

November 24, Capt. Rudy Lupton relieved Capt. Thom W. Burke as CO of the Blue Ridge during a change-of-command ceremony held on board the ship.

January 26, 2010 LCC 19 is currently conducting sea trials in preparation for a scheduled spring deployment.

February 1, USS Blue Ridge departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka for its last underway period before Spring Patrol.

February 5, The amphibious command and control ship arrived in Otaru, Japan, for a scheduled port visit. LCC 19 returned to Yokosuka Feb. 12.

March 2, USS Blue Ridge departed homeport for a routine spring patrol and will participate in bilateral exercises Key Resolve and Terminal Fury.

March 5, The Blue Ridge arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea, to participate in the joint exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2010, from March 8-18.

March 12, The 7th Fleet flagship pulled to Chinhae Naval Base, ROK, for a scheduled port visit.

March 25, LCC 19 arrived in Hong Kong for a five-day port call.

April 3, USS Blue Ridge arrived in Sepanggar Naval Base for a port visit to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

April 11, The amphibious command and control ship pulled into Jakarta, Indonesia, for a scheduled port visit.

April 17, The Blue Ridge pulled to Laem Chabang for a goodwill port visit to Pattaya, Thailand.

May 1, The 7th Fleet flagship arrived in Fukuoka, Japan, for its first visit to the city since 1981.

May 7, USS Blue Ridge arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, to take part in Victory Day celebrations.

May 14, LCC 19 returned to Yokosuka after completing the 10-week underway period.

May 22, The amphibious command and control ship is currently participating in an annual exercise off the coast of Japan.

June 26, USS Blue Ridge departed FAY for a Friends and Family cruise to Tokyo.

July 19, The Blue Ridge departed Yokosuka for a Summer Patrol in support of Pacific Partnership 2010.

July 26, The 7th Fleet flagship anchored off the coast of Republic of Palau for a four-day visit.

August 4, USS Blue Ridge pulled into Manila South Harbor for a three-day port call to Republic of the Philippines.

August 13, LCC 19 arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea, for a goodwill port visit before participating in exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian, August 16-26.

August 31, USS Blue Ridge returned to homeport after completing the summer deployment.

September 10, Vice Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk relieved Vice Adm. John M. Bird as Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet during a change-of-command ceremony held on board the Blue Ridge.

September 15, USS Blue Ridge entered the dry-dock at Ship Repair Facility Yokosuka for a Selective Restricted Availability (SRA) maintenance period.

February 7, 2011 USS Blue Ridge departed Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) for a Spring Patrol.

February 13, The 7th Fleet flagship arrived in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, for a four-day port visit.

February 24, LCC 19 departed Hong Kong after a five-day port call.

February 28, The Blue Ridge pulled into Sepanggar Naval Base for a scheduled port visit to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

March 7, The amphibious command and control ship arrived in Port Klang for a three-day visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

March 11, USS Blue Ridge arrived in Singapore for a week long port call.

March 12, The Blue Ridge departed Changi Naval Base, after on-loading humanitarian assistance supplies, in support of earthquake and tsunami relief operations in Japan.

March 20, LCC 19 is currently operating in the vicinity of Nagasaki and will conduct a replenishment with USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) tomorrow.

March 24, USS Blue Ridge pulled into White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, to onload supplies and additional personnel to augment the staff, and to debark the 7th Fleet Band, who will move to Sasebo to conduct a series of performances there in the coming weeks.

April 8, The 7th Fleet flagship is currently in the Philippine Sea participating in exercise Malabar 2011 with the Indian Navy.

April 11, USS Blue Ridge returned home following a two-month patrol and support of Operation Tomodachi.

May 11, Capt. Daniel C. Grieco relieved Capt. Rudy Lupton as CO of the Blue Ridge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at CFAY.

May 13, The amphibious command and control ship arrived in Osaka for a goodwill port visit.

May 28, USS Blue Ridge departed Yokosuka for a few days to avoid Typhoon Songda.

June 22, USS Blue Ridge departed home for an annual Summer Patrol in the western Pacific.

July 3, LCC 19 arrived in Noumea, New Caledonia, for a goodwill port visit.

July 8, The Blue Ridge arrived in Brisbane, Australia, in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011.

July 27, USS Blue Ridge arrived in Cairns, Australia, for a port call, a day later than originally scheduled after it was delayed yesterday.

August 13, The 7th Fleet flagship pulled into Busan, Republic of Korea, to participate in an annual computer-assisted simulation command-post exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2011, August 16-29.

August 29, USS Blue Ridge returned to Fleet Activities Yokosuka after a two-month patrol.

September 7, Vice Adm. Scott H. Swift relieved Vice Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk as Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, during a change-of-command ceremony on board the LCC 19.

November 14, The Blue Ridge departed homeport for a two-day sea trials after completing the maintenance availability period.

January 17, 2012 The 7th Fleet flagship pulled into dry-dock at CFAY for an incline survey. During the survey, Blue Ridge and shipyard personnel will take measurements and readings from the ship to help with future planning of structural additions so the service life can be extended as nearly as 30 years.

January 24, USS Blue Ridge departed Yokosuka for three-day sea trials after a routine maintenance period.

February 3, The Blue Ridge arrived in Tomakomai, Japan, for a five-day port visit that coincides with the nearby 63rd annual Sapporo Snow and Ice Festival. LCC 19 returned to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka Feb. 10.