USS Blue Ridge in Cebu for humanitarian program

The USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) of the U.S. Seventh Fleet is in Cebu as part of its several community outreach programs in different parts of the country.

The ship has previously visited Manila and the former U.S. Navy base in Subic Bay.

Blue Ridge arrived in Manila last week for a day of military talks. These talks also centered on a variety of issues between the United States and the Philippines.

Although the Blue Ridge's visit to the Cebu will only be for two days, this will leave a lasting positive impression as the command Junior Sailor Association (JSA) collected donations of food, clothing and toiletries for selected beneficiaries in Lapu-Lapu City.

Today, the Blue Ridge's staff will have a medical mission in barangay Mambaling with the Philippine Navy.

Yesterday, US sailors and marines spent their time painting several schools in Lapu-Lapu City, particularly the Looc Elementary School.

Blue Ridge, an amphibious command and control ship, is the command ship of the U.S. Seventh Fleet.

Commanded by Capt. Jeff Bartkoski, Blue Ridge supports a variety of missions by providing a robust communications suite to allow the Seventh Fleet Commander and his embarked staff to provide guidance and direction to the U.S. Naval Forces in the region.

Yesterday, the fleet's rescue and assistance team helped in putting out a fire that razed M/V Manila Bay 1 of Gothong Shipping Lines.

Blue Ridge Public Affairs Officer Lt. Commander George Kuntz said they sent their nine-man firefighting team to help in putting out the fire.

"It's good that we all here have knowledge on firefighting and we bought with us our suits and everything that are needed for that," Kuntz said.

Last night, United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney and U.S. Seventh Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Douglas Crowder welcomed friends from different government agencies, the media and private companies to a reception onboard the USS Blue Ridge. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Central Command's Lt. Gen. Cardoso Luna, US Consul John Domingo, Cebu City north district Rep. Raul del Mar and Cebu City Vice Mayor were among the guests during the reception. - Jasmin R. Uy/LPM