The U.S. Navy's oldest active warship will serve as the command and control centre for the U.S.-Indo-Pacific Fleet, overseeing 50 ships and submarines that will strengthen security in the region. The USS 'Blue Ridge' today arrived on Australian shores, picking up personnel on the way.

Potts Point

The USS Blue Ridge, at 55 years old, is the oldest warship in the US Navy and currently acts as the command and control centre for the US Indo-Pacific Fleet. It oversees more than 50 ships and submarines, some of which are nuclear-armed, and nearly 30,000 sailors and marines. An Australian officer is among the six international personnel seconded to the Blue Ridge, highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen interoperability and cooperation among allies in the region.

The report notes that China is engaged in a significant peacetime warship building program and has been testing Taiwan and challenging international maritime norms. Despite strains in some traditional US alliances, the US-Australian partnership in the Pacific remains a central focus for Washington. The environment is described as dynamic, with an emphasis on the importance of close alliances.

Flagship U.S. Navy ship arrives at Potts Point

55 years old, the Blue Ridge is the oldest warship in the US Navy. But don't be fooled, it is the command and control centre for the US Indo-Pacific Fleet. More than 50 ships and submarines, some carrying nuclear weapons and nearly 30,000 sailors and marines answer to the three-star admiral on board. The power projection is considerable for the US submarine in the region. Helping plan its operations is an Australian, one of six seconded to the Blue Ridge. I do sense that allies and partners are working more closely together. We have been working on that interoperability for a long time and also forging that relationship. China is on the biggest peacetime warship building program in history. It is constantly testing Taiwan and in defiance of international law, continually bullying other shipping. Are you more on a war footing than you were two years ago? During my time on board, I feel like my level of participation and involvement has not really changed. The messaging is clear. At a time and under a president when traditional US alliances have been strained almost to breaking point, think of Canada, the US-Australian alliance in the Pacific remains core business for Washington. In these times... It is a very dynamic environment. Friends need friends. Hugh Rimington for 10 News First.

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