The USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), the lead ship of the two Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ships of the United States (US) Navy, and the flagship of the Seventh Fleet, welcomed officers from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the Ministry of Defence (MinDef) yesterday.
Commander of the RBAF Commander Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan; Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Forces Brigadier General Haji Mohammad Shanonnizam bin Sulaiman; Acting Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy Captain Haji Mohamad Sarif Pudin bin Matserudin; and Commander of the Royal Brunei Airforce Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohd Sharif bin Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim represented the MinDef.
US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Caryn McClelland and Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Brunei Darussalam Stacy Lomba and Commanding Officer of the USS Blue Ridge Captain Dale Gregory Jr welcomed the contingent.
“The USS Blue Ridge has a long history with Brunei, making our first visit in 1985. Its great to be back,” said Captain Dale Gregory Jr. “It is the flagship for the US Seventh Fleet. Our purpose has been the same since 1979 – to show the US’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
The USS Blue Ridge is ported at Muara Port and will once again make their journey tomorrow. – Adib Noor
