JULY 2015
PHOTO REVIEW
ISSUE NO. 5
CO’S CORNER
Photo courtesy of Chris Sattler
Blue Ridge Arrives in Sydney SYDNEY -- U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Sydney for a port visit further strengthening the relationship between the partner nations July 3. While in Sydney, embarked 7th Fleet staff will conduct the U.S.-Australian biennial military exercise Talisman Sabre 2015, July 4-19. Blue Ridge will act as command and control for the exercise and provide communications support
COMMANDING OFFICER Kyle P. Higgins
STORY BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3RD CLASS DON PATTON
for 7th Fleet and Australian Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) staffs. The Blue Ridge team consists of more than 900 crew members, including embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff and the “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12. During the visit, many service members will volunteer their off duty time, participating in community service events at two separate children’s hospitals and one retirement home.
SYDNEY HARBOR (July 3, 2015) - Ship’s Serviceman 2nd Class Jaquan Hartford, attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), mans the rails as the ship arrives in Sydney. Blue Ridge is conducting a port visit in Sydney while patrolling in the 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jordan KirkJohnson/ RELEASED)
“Community service projects provide Sailors an opportunity to affect lives and leave a lasting impression on the nations they interact with,” said Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class Brian Jewell, Blue Ridge’s community service coordinator. “These events are important because they also give each nation a chance to view each other differently.”
co@lcc19.navy.mil
EXECUTIVE OFFICER Nathan Fugate xo@lcc19.navy.mil
BLR OMBUDSMAN
in friendly competitions and to interact with Sailors from other countries,” said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class Christopher Dugas, Blue Ridge’s MWR Sports Coordinator.
Blue Ridge’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) office scheduled inter-navy basketball, volleyball and soccer games between Blue Ridge Sailors and Sailors from the Royal Australian Navy.
Shanette Abney
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Samantha Knepper
“A lot of times when we pull into ports the Blue Ridge sports teams are looking forward to playing the home country’s team,” said Logistics Specialist 2nd Jennifer Thai, a Blue Ridge MWR representative. “Events like these encourage camaraderie between our service members.” . . . CONTINUED ON BACK COVER>>
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to engage
samantha.knepper@lcc19.navy.mil guaranteeing around the clock connectivity,
We have been gone about a month now, but we
down under. Happy belated Independence Day!
accommodations for exercise participants and
still have more work to complete before we come
Hopefully, you were able to enjoy the celebration
a steady supply of food for those burning the
home. I know you are proud of your Sailors as
of 239 years of our great country’s independence.
midnight oil.
they continue to provide superb support to 7th
We had the opportunity to observe the holiday
Fleet in the current exercise, and the multiple
the CAPTAIN’S CAPTAIN’S corner
Blue Ridge family & friends, g’day from the land
with our friends in Sydney, Australia. Many of
Though we worked hard, we used the opportunity
inspections we have as we make our way north.
the Aussies credit their nation’s foundation from
to enjoy Sydney. The crew was able to take
Please enjoy the summer in Yokosuka or wherever
the seed of our war of independence from Great
advantage of quite a bit of liberty. The MWR team
you are, but know we wish we were there with you.
Britain and were more than happy to party
had a variety of recreational events to choose
Be well and as always, my sincerest thanks for the
with us.
from, but many explored the city themselves, since
continued support.
the heart of the city was within walking distance Once we arrived, the ship was running full
from where we moored. Some took the once in
Take care and talk to you soon!
tilt, supporting 7th Fleet and their multi-
a lifetime chance to reenlist outside the famous
Capt. Higgins
national exercise, TALISMAN SABER. As the
Sydney opera house. I know they will share those
communications platform for the Commander
memories for a lifetime. It was an experience not
and his staff, your Sailors were working overtime,
to be forgotten.
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Operations Specialist Seaman Guillermo Ake, attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), uses a needle gun to chip paint on the starboard aft sponson Slew Armed Davit operator console during shipboard preservation efforts (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mike Story/ RELEASED) Damage Controlman Fireman Nicholas Robbins sprays water onto the main deck during a fresh water wash-down on board U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin A. Flinn/ RELEASED) Members of the flight deck crew and the medical team attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), move a mock crash victim onto a stokes stretcher during a simulated mass casualty on the ship’s main deck. (Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jordan KirkJohnson/ RELEASED)
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Shipmate’s Spotlight Elecronics Technician 3rd Class Benjamin Brown Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Age: 23 (24 in Nov.) Favorite Color: Purple What is your primary job on board Blue Ridge? I primarily work on the shipboard SHF systems which include the NMT, CBSP and LINK 11/Link 16, but sometimes, I work on UHF Satcom antennas. Since checking onboard in Jan 2015, I have learned a little bit about everything. Where do you see yourself in the next two years? I plan on separating from the Navy in Oct. 2016, and going to art school for a degree in illustration. Then I’d like to open to a tattoo studio as well as various other businesses including an internet-run T-shirt/ clothing company. What kind of music do you like to listen to? I like everything, especially, Indie Rock bands such as: Portugal, The Man, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Circa Survive. When I am hanging out with friends I like to listen to Kendrick Lamar and Wiz Khalifa. What do you like to do outside of work? Like many ETs, VIDEO GAMES are one of my primary hobbies. How have you enjoyed Sydney? Sydney is an amazing city. My first few days were spent trying to get a sim card so I can call my wife, after that I tried some of the local food and am currently in love with Harry’s Cafe De Wheels’
Ship’s Serviceman 2nd Class Jaquan Hartford, attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), gives Royal Australian Navy Leading Seaman Electronics Technician Benjamin Wilkin a plaque after an inter-navy basketball game. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin A. Flinn/ RELEASED)
Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Lisa Ream, attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC19), mans the rails as the ship transits through Sydney Harbor. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Liz Dunagan/ RELEASED) Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class Christopher Dugas, attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), makes an announcement over the ships announcement system as the ship arrives in Guam. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Hendricks/ RELEASED)
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Electronics Technician 3rd Class Benjamin Brown, attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), explains the use of the different antennas during a ship tour. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Timothy Hale/ RELEASED)
Chief Information Systems Technician Gregory McCray, right, attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), delivers a safety brief to Sailors before manning the rails, as the ship arrives in Sydney. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jordan KirkJohnson/ RELEASED) Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Connor Prince, right, and Information Systems Technician Seaman Evan Ermey, both attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), man a.50-caliber machine gun as the ship departs Guam. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jordan KirkJohnson/ RELEASED)
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[ESWS Crossword] 1
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DOWN
1.) Constrained by draft. 2.) A vessel is deemed to be ______ when coming up to another vessel from a direction more that 22.5 degrees abaft her beam. 3.) Measures the angular bearing of a celestial body from the geodetic point of the user. 4.) Angular distance measured between the prime meridian and the International Date Line through 180 degrees measured . . . Blue Ridge ARRIVES >> MWR also provides Sailors an opportunity to explore eastward or westward. Sydney and learn about the culture and history through tours, such as to the Sydney 5.) Personnel recall. Opera House or the panoramic city tour taking Sailors to the Rock, the oldest village in Sydney.
ACROSS
1.) No visual guard. 2.) Man overboard. 3.) Panel which indicates ship’s 5 running light configurations. also indicates whether running lights are on primary or secondary filaments. 4.) (Inport) Ship coming alongside. 5.) Where does the anchor rub through to the side of the ship and also hawes the anchor itself?
“These tours give Sailors a chance to get away and see the different scenic sites that Sydney has to offer,” said Thai. “It is very important to provide opportunities that they might not have taken advantage of on their own.” This port visit marks the first time Blue Ridge has been to Australia since its involvement in Talisman Sabre 2013, which took place in Cairns, Australia. Blue Ridge has been forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan for 36 years and is currently on patrol, strengthening and fostering relationships within the 7th Fleet area of operations.
CHAPLAIN’S message
“PERSPECTIVE PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN HOW LIFE’S STRUGGLES AFFECT US.”- CHAPLAIN STALLINGS I’ve been to the Grand Canyon many times. Every time I’ve gone, I’ve seen something different – taken different hiking routes, an aerial helicopter tour, a tour in a Cessna, once on a mule (ONCE!). Every time I have seen that huge canyon in a different light from a different perspective. If you have ever stood on the very edge of the Grand Canyon and looked across that panorama, you already know that it’s an awe inspiring sight that words just cannot truly capture. The Grand Canyon can be over a mile deep and up to 18 miles across in some places. The immensity of it can make a person feel very, very small and insignificant… even overwhelmed. Each of us can face issues in our own
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lives that have that very same effect. Sometimes struggles can make us feel small, powerless, insignificant… especially overwhelmed. But, what I want you to realize is that problems have that affect on us because, when they’re happening, we’re standing right on the very edge of them – looking across them and trying to figure out a way to the other side. Another perspective on our problems – another point of view – can make a tremendous difference in our well-being. Think about what the Grand Canyon looks like from a plane flying at 40,000 feet or from the space station orbiting the earth. From those perspectives, that massive, overwhelming canyon just
looks like a ditch or a squiggly little line on a blue marble. Perspective plays a big role in how life’s struggles affect us. I pray that each of us might gain new perspectives on the issues we face – that we might see our lives and our struggles from different frames of reference – and that we might understand how different and small some of our problems appear once we have gotten to the other side of them. Blessings, Chaps
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