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Blue Ridge Class amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge has departed Sydney after a scheduled port visit in May.
USS Blue Ridge is part of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet and reportedly operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
During the Sydney visit, Royal Australian Navy Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond met with US Commander Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, commander, US 7th Fleet.
“Our port visit to Sydney marks another important stop during our ongoing Indo-Pacific patrol aboard the 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge,” VADM Kacher said.
“The US–Australia alliance reaches back more than a century, and we share extremely close ties with the Australian Defence Force.”
This most recent port visit marked the first time the Blue Ridge has visited Sydney since 2015, following visits from USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) in 2024 and USS Canberra (LCS 30) in 2023.
While in Sydney, the USS Blue Ridge hosted multiple ship tours and engaged with their Royal Australian Navy counterparts.
During the port visit, sailors and marines participated in a community relations event with the non-profit community kitchen “Our Big Kitchen” in Bondi.
Additionally, RAN members extended a sports day invitation by hosting a futsal match for the Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet sailors.
“The United States is our closest ally and principal strategic partner,” said Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Christopher Smith AM, CSM, RAN.
“The cooperation of our two navies is unique in scale, scope and significance. For more than 100 years, our two nations have stood shoulder to shoulder with an alliance built on mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and national interests and governed by shared interests in a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
“Officers, sailors and the ships of the United States Navy will always find a welcome port any time they sail near Australian shores.”
The Blue Ridge and embarked US 7th Fleet staff conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance future warfighting capabilities.
