Students Tour Blue Ridge

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- More than 110 students, teachers and chaperons from Yokosuka Middle School toured U.S. 7th flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Feb. 15.

Blue Ridge Sailors led the tour, giving sixth-grade students a chance to learn aboutmany spaces aboard the ship including the foc'sle, pilot house, main deck, damage control central, and mess decks.

"I always enjoy sharing our experiences with these kids and showing them how Sailors live and work while at sea," said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Gomer Cubol, a tour guide for the second time. "It's amazing to see their reactions, and I can tell that they better appreciate what we do after the experience."

The middle school students adopt ships homeported in Commander Fleet Activities, Yokosuka a to better understand the Navy and how it works. The group of students who visited Blue Ridge adopted the ship and follows its activities through news articles, published photographs and social media. The children also do such extracurricular activities as design T-shirts.

"Following a ship such as Blue Ridge, allows these kids to understand what their parents do when they're underway," said Lt. Anthony Baker, Blue Ridge chaplain. "By having them visit the ship helps them unveil that mystery."

For more news from USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), visit www.navy.mil/local/lcc19/.