USS Blue Ridge, the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, arrived in northern Singapore on Monday as part of its deployment to Asia.

The Blue Ridge, namesake of its class of amphibious command ships of the U.S. States Navy and the oldest deployable warship in the fleet, last visited the nation more than three years ago.

"Seventh Fleet and Blue Ridge sailors always enjoy visiting the Lion City," Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander U.S. 7th Fleet, said in a news release. "Our partnership with the Republic of Singapore Navy could not be stronger and we look forward to continuing port visits, exchanges and exercises as we have for decades."

As part of the visit, Blue Ridge sailors will take part in several community relations events and explore the city on guided tours. Members of the 7th Fleet band will perform in public concerts.

"For us, port calls are important in more than one way," Blue Ridge Commanding Officer Capt. Eric Anduze said. "They double as rich tourist opportunities and a chance to continue to build and reinforce existing relationships in the area. With so many sSailors on our crew visiting here for the first time, we are excited to work our Singaporean partners and experience the wonderful culture that exists here."

Last Wednesday, the ship arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, where crew members were welcomed by traditional dancers, according to the ship's Facebook page.

Last month, the ship visited Hong Kong, China; Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia; and Laem Chabang, Thailand.

In March, Blue Ridge also conducted a maritime cooperative activity with Philippine Navy vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz.

The Blue Ridge and the Mount Whitney, which serves as 6th Fleet flagship in Gaeta, Italy, are the only U.S. Navy amphibious command ships. The vessels, which are 634 feet long, include 34 officers and 564 enlisted personnel.

The Blue Ridge was christened as a warship in 1970, and the next year it arrived in San Diego as its home port for the next eight years.

Then in 1979, the ship was deployed to home port of Yokosuka, Japan, and became the permanent flagship of 7th Fleet.

The Blue Ridge is slated to remain in Yokosuka until 2020, more than 10 years beyond the originally estimated decommissioning date.

"She is the face of the forward deployed naval forces, the tip of the spear, and the finest flagship in the Navy," according to the Navy.

The U.S. 7th Fleet, which includes 50 to 70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft with approximately 20,000 sailors, provides security alongside allies and partners throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

New destroyer to be named in honor of ex-U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn
Washington (UPI) May 6, 2019 –

The U.S. Navy has named one of its future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to honor former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, the Navy announced on Monday.

DDG 133 is among the new class of the DDG-51 Flight III baseline that is centered around the AMDR/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar system, according to the U.S. Navy.

Nunn, 80, served in the U.S. Coast Guard 1959 to 1960 and remained in the Coast Guard Reserve until 1968. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972 from Georgia and served until 1997.

Nunn served as chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

"Senator Nunn's impact on the Navy and Marine Corps team cannot be overstated," Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer said in a news release. "His leadership in the Senate, specifically as the long-serving chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, helped streamline the military chain of command and strengthen our Navy and Marine Corps team. I am pleased that Senator Nunn's legacy of service to our nation will continue in the future USS Sam Nunn."

The ship will be constructed at Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Miss. The ship was authorized for construction in September 2018.

Sixty-six class ships have been delivered to the Naval fleet and 10 ships are currently under construction, with an additional 12 under contract with shipbuilders HII and Bath Iron Works.

The first Flight III ship, the USS Jack H. Lucas, designated as DDG 125, started fabrication in May 2018. Also under construction is the USS Louis H. Wilson, named for a Medal of Honor recipient. Other named Flight III ships under contract also honor two former U.S. senators, Ted Stevens and Jeremiah Denton.

Like other Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the USS Sam Nunn will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously. The vessel will be 509 feet long, have a beam length of 59 feet and be capable of operating at speeds in excess of 30 knots.

The latest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, commissioned was the USS Thomas Hudner, was commissioned in December 2018.