Trumpeter 05717 USS Blue Ridge LCC-19 2004

The USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is a modern American command ship. The keel for this unit was laid in 1967, the launch took place in January 1969, and entry into service with the US Navy took place in 1970. The ship is 194 m long, 32.9 m wide, and has a displacement of about 19,700 tons. The maximum speed of the ship is approximately 23 knots. The unit has on-board armament such as: two 20 mm Vulcan Phalanx sets or two 25 mm Bushmaster cannons. The ship can also use two Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopters.

The USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is the leading unit of the class of ships of the same name. The Blue Ridge-class ships were developed based on the experience gained from landing operations conducted by US forces during World War II and the Korean War (1950-1953), with the goal of replacing the McKinley-class ships in the line. In order to shorten the research and development time, the plans of the Cleveland-class cruisers were used for their construction and were roughly based on the Iwo Jima-class landing craft. The main tasks of Blue Ridge units are to act as fleet command ships, with the ability to command land and air operations. Out of the planned three units of this type, only two entered service. The first was the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19). The unit took an active part in the last phase of the Vietnam War (1964 / 1965-1975) and in the course of actions against Iraq in 1990-1991. The unit serves as the flagship of the US VII Fleet, which is stationed in the Pacific and is still in active service.