Busan: The captain of the command ship of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet emphasized the unprecedented strength of the alliance between South Korea and the United States during a recent port call in the South. Captain Louis Catalina, commanding officer of the USS Blue Ridge, made these remarks aboard the command ship during a press tour at a major naval base in Busan.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the USS Blue Ridge, a 19,600-ton vessel, visited the Busan naval base to replenish supplies and provide rest for its crew members. This visit marked the first port call of the U.S. warship in Busan since February 2020. Captain Catalina described the visit as a demonstration of the U.S.' commitment to the Seoul-Washington alliance, stating that the partnership between the Republic of Korean Navy and the U.S. has never been stronger.
The USS Blue Ridge recently participated in the Freedom Edge exercise, a trilateral military drill conducted by South Korea, the United States, and Japan off South Korea's southern island of Jeju from September 15-19. Despite the absence of a U.S. aircraft carrier, Catalina highlighted the importance of joint exercises in enhancing mutual capabilities and fostering an open and free Indo-Pacific region.
Captain Kang Hyung-gu of the Republic of Korea Fleet noted the enhanced maritime operational capabilities and strengthened extended deterrence achieved through the continued deployment of U.S. Navy warships. When questioned about the focus of the latest exercise, Catalina refrained from commenting on specific threats but emphasized the shared understanding of warfighting capabilities.
Regarding future cooperation in the shipbuilding sector, Captain Catalina mentioned the maintenance needs of the USS Blue Ridge, the oldest operational and deployable ship in the U.S. Navy. He stressed the importance of readiness for both fleets to fulfill their deterrence mission.
Commissioned in 1970 and based in Yokosuka, Japan, the USS Blue Ridge serves as the flagship of the 7th Fleet, with an area of responsibility covering the western Pacific and Indian oceans. The ship plans to depart the Busan naval base soon.