US Navy USS Blue Ridge strengthens Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Defense During Pacific Deployment.

According to information published by the US DoD on January 26, 2025, the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), recently conducted an operational test of its countermeasure wash-down system, a key component of the ship’s chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) defense measures. This critical assessment, carried out by the vessel’s Damage Controlmen while underway, ensures that the system remains fully functional and capable of providing rapid contamination mitigation in the event of a CBR threat.
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Damage Controlmen aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) conduct an operational test of the countermeasure wash-down system while underway, ensuring the ship’s readiness to mitigate chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) threats. (Picture source: US DoD)

As the floating command and control platform for U.S. 7th Fleet operations across the Indo-Pacific, USS Blue Ridge must maintain the highest levels of damage control readiness. The countermeasure wash-down system plays an essential role in safeguarding both personnel and equipment by dispersing seawater over the ship’s exterior surfaces to neutralize hazardous agents. The recent operational test focused on verifying the mechanical integrity of pumps, valves, and distribution nozzles, assessing system responsiveness in emergency scenarios, and ensuring effective coordination among crew members responsible for its activation and maintenance.

According to Damage Control Officers aboard the ship, maintaining the wash-down system in peak condition is vital for sustaining continuous operational capability in contested environments. The test included simulated contamination events, where crew members practiced rapid deployment procedures and decontamination protocols. The results provided valuable insights into system efficiency and allowed for refinements in procedural execution, reinforcing the ship’s overall mission readiness and crew preparedness.

USS Blue Ridge’s role extends beyond individual shipboard readiness; it serves as the nerve center for U.S. naval operations in the Indo-Pacific, supporting fleet-wide coordination, multinational exercises, and strategic deterrence initiatives. Operating from its forward-deployed homeport in Yokosuka, Japan, the ship ensures command and control superiority, enabling U.S. and allied forces to conduct maritime security operations, humanitarian assistance, and crisis response missions. The ability to mitigate CBR threats enhances the fleet’s survivability and operational endurance, particularly in an era of evolving regional challenges.

This latest test underscores the U.S. Navy’s commitment to maintaining a combat-ready force capable of operating in complex and unpredictable environments. As regional tensions persist and adversaries develop more advanced asymmetric threats, including potential CBR warfare capabilities, ships like USS Blue Ridge must remain at the forefront of technological preparedness and tactical resilience.

By continually refining its defensive countermeasure systems, damage control training, and operational readiness protocols, USS Blue Ridge ensures that the U.S. 7th Fleet remains a formidable force in the Indo-Pacific.