USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is a modern American command ship. The keel of this unit was laid down in 1967, launched in January 1969, and commissioned into the US Navy in 1970. The ship is 194 m long, 32.9 m wide, and has a displacement of about 19,700 tons. The ship has a maximum speed of about 23 knots. The unit has onboard armament, such as two 20 mm Vulcan Phalanx complexes or two 25 mm Bushmaster guns. The ship can also use two Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopters.
USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is the lead unit of the eponymous class of ships. The Blue Ridge-class ships were designed based on experience gained during amphibious operations conducted by the United States during World War II and the Korean War (1950-1953) to replace the McKinley-class ships in the line. To reduce research and development time, the drawings of the Cleveland-class cruisers, which were roughly based on the Iwo Jima-class landing ships, were used for their construction. The main tasks of the Blue Ridge units are to perform the functions of fleet command ships, having the ability to command land and air operations. 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 final phase of the Vietnam War (1964/1965-1975) and in the course of operations against Iraq in 1990-1991. This unit serves as the flagship of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, which is stationed in the Pacific Ocean and is still in active service.
