Key Points and Summary – The Blue Ridge-class ships (USS Blue Ridge and USS Mount Whitney) are the only purpose-built amphibious command-and-control vessels in U.S. Navy history.
-Despite being the oldest deployed warships in the fleet, their “state-of-the-art” systems allow them to serve as the permanently forward-deployed flagships for the Seventh and Sixth Fleets, respectively.
-With service lives extended through 2039, these “unsung heroes” continue to coordinate massive operations—from Desert Storm to BALTOPS 25—proving they remain the “most capable command ships ever built.”
A Vital U.S. Navy Warship: Blue Ridge-Class Explainer
West Virginia is not a coastal state, but that didn’t stop the U.S. Navy from naming a class of warships in honor of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Blue Ridge-class is the first and only class of amphibious command-and-control ships specifically designed as such from the keel up.
Blue Ridge-Class Initial History
Three Blue Ridge-class ships were originally planned, but only two were built and commissioned.
The lead ship of the class, the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), was built at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. She was laid down on February 27, 1967, launched on January 4, 1969, and commissioned on November 14, 1970. Her motto is “Finest in the Fleet.”
The second ship of the class, the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), was built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company in Newport News, Virginia. The ship was laid down on January 8, 1969, launched on January 8, 1970, and commissioned on January 16, 1971. Her motto is “The Voice of The Sea.”
Tech Specs and Vital Stats
-Displacement:18,874 long tons (19,176.89 metric tons) fully laded
-Hull Length: 634 feet (193 meters)
-Beam Width: 108 feet (33 meters)
-Draught: 26 ft 9 in (8.15 m)
-Propulsion: Two boilers, one geared turbine, one shaft; 22,000 hp (16,000 kW)
-Max Speed:23 knots (26 mph; 43 km/h)
-Range/Endurance: 13,000 nautical miles (15,000 statute miles; 24,000 km)
-Crew Complement: 34 commissioned officers, 564 enlisted seamen
-Aircraft Carrying Capacity: 2 helicopters
-Armament: 2 × Phalanx CIWS (close in weapon system); 2 × Mark 38 25 mm machine gun system
As the Blue Ridge’s official website proudly proclaims, “The BLUE RIDGE is the most capable command ship ever built, with an extremely sophisticated Command and Control system.
“With a state of the art commercial and military satellite capability, coupled with the ability to track land, sea, and air movements throughout the region, BLUE RIDGE is among the most technologically advanced ships in the world.”
Operational History In Brief
The Blue Ridge-class ships do not grab headlines and wow the American public like, say, the Nimitz-class supercarriers and Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines do.
Yet LCC-19 and LCC-20 have a prestigious position that the more powerful and movie-worthy Navy warships don’t have: They are the respective flagships of the Seventh Fleet (the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet) and Sixth Fleet. The Blue Ridge has held that status since 1979, and the Mount Whitney since 2005. (For the preceding 24 years, she had been the command ship of the Second Fleet.)
PACIFIC OCEAN (May 30, 2023) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) steams through the Pacific Ocean. Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Lagadi)
The Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) transit the Atlantic Ocean June 4, 2020, marking the first time a Ford-class and a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier have operated together underway. Ford is underway conducting integrated air wing operations, and the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group remains at sea in the Atlantic as a certified carrier strike group force ready for tasking in order to protect the crew from the risks posed by COVID-19, following their successful deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ruben Reed)
Some of the noteworthy historical achievements of the Blue Ridge include:
-Serving as flagship for Commander, United States Naval Forces Central Command, for 9.5 months during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, earning a Navy Unit Commendation Medal.
-Nine Battle Efficiency “E” Awards
–Captain Edward F. Ney Award for best food service for large deck ships in 2007
Some of the noteworthy historical achievements of the Mount Whitney include:
-Being deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in November 2002. She acted as the initial command post for Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa.
-Being deployed to the Black Sea in support of Operation Assured Delivery to deliver humanitarian aid to those affected by the Russo-Georgian War in August 2008. She became the first NATO ship to deliver aid to the port of Poti, Georgia.
-11 Battle Efficiency “E” Awards.
Where Are They Now? The Way Forward for the Blue Ridge Class
Both Blue Ridge-class ships remain on active service is the U.S. Navy.
The Blue Ridge has been the Navy’s oldest deployed warship since the 2014 decommissioning of the 1968-vintage USS Denver III (LPD-9), and is currently commanded by Captain Louis F. Catalina IV; the Mount Whitney is skippered by Captain Colin “Farva” Price.
LCC-19 is homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, while LCC-20 is homeported in Gaeta, Italy.
In addition to her flagship functions, the Blue Ridge also provides secondary functions as command ship for the Amphibious Task Force and Landing Force Commanders during all phases of fleetwide operations, as well as a Commander Joint Task Force flagship when national interests require.
For good measure, “USS Mount Whitney reinforces alliances and partnerships by providing distinguished, Ambassador-level receptions and tours of the impressive flagship to strengthen the image of the United States, build our alliances with regional military powers and provide leverage to the diplomatic efforts of our State Department.”
Back in 2011, the service lives of both vessels were extended through 2039 by the Chief of Naval Operations.
As far as we can ascertain, no ship class is being envisioned specifically as a replacement.
About the Author: Christian D. Orr, Defense Expert
Christian D. Orr is a Senior Defense Editor. He is a former Air Force Security Forces officer, Federal law enforcement officer, and private military contractor (with assignments worked in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Japan, Germany, and the Pentagon). Chris holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC) and an M.A. in Intelligence Studies (concentration in Terrorism Studies) from American Military University (AMU). He is also the author of the newly published book “Five Decades of a Fabulous Firearm: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Beretta 92 Pistol Series.”
