OTARU, Japan (NNS) -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) pulled into Otaru, Japan, Feb. 5 for a scheduled port visit.
During the crew's visit, Blue Ridge and embarked 7th Fleet Sailors and Marines from Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team-Pacific B-1 will be given the opportunity to explore and enjoy Otaru, while also taking part in the internationally renowned ice festival held in nearby Sapporo.
The crew will also participate in a series of community outreach projects such as washing dishes and serving tea at the ice festival, eating lunch with foster children from Kosho Gakuen Foster Home and providing an opportunity for interested Japanese visitors to tour Blue Ridge and share cultures during an open-ship event.
"This is my second visit to Otaru," said Electronics Technician 1st Class Michael Hollingsworth. "I'm going to go out and take pictures at the ice festival. It's the only place to see anything like it."
"Historically, the crew has always been excited to visit Otaru during this season," said Blue Ridge Commanding Officer Capt. Rudy Lupton. "It's also exciting because this is our first port visit since the end of last year's fall deployment. It's a great opportunity for our Sailors to get out there and experience a unique part of Japanese culture they wouldn't find anywhere else."
Blue Ridge serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force. Blue Ridge is the flagship for Commander, 7th Fleet. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa with an operating detachment in Sasebo.