Article Posted on : - Apr 05, 2016

USS Blue Ridge.

MUMBAI (PTI): USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), the lead ship of the two Blue Ridge class command ships of the United States Navy and the command ship of the United States Seventh Fleet, is on a visit to Mumbai.

The warship, whose primary role is to provide command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence support to the commander and staff of the United States Seventh Fleet, arrived in Mumbai on Sunday.

It is currently forward-deployed to US Navy Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, in Japan and is the third Navy ship named after the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern USA.

Blue Ridge is the oldest deployable warship of the US Navy, an official on board the warship told a group of visiting media persons on Monday.

The warship, which has been operational for the last around 40 years, is expected to remain in service for 20 more years after a major repair and overhaul, he said.

The warship has accommodation for over 250 officers, 1200 enlisted men and 100 enlisted women, he said.

With an ability to track land, sea and air movements throughout the region, the warship is among the most technologically advanced ships in the world, the official added.