USS Blue Ridge
Commanding Officer (November 24, 2009 - May 11, 2011) 
CAPT Rudy Lupton
Commanding Officer (November 24, 2009 - May 11, 2011)
CAPT Rudy Lupton is a native of New Bern, North Carolina and a 1983 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He holds Master Degrees in Management from Troy State University and in National Security Strategy from the National War College.

CAPT Lupton’s initial sea duty assignment was to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SIX where he deployed aboard USS SANTA BARBARA (AE-28) and USS MILWAUKEE (AOR-2) to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean. He completed his department head tour in Helicopter Combat Support Squadron EIGHT where he served as Maintenance Officer and deployed aboard USS WASP (LHD-1) as the Search and Rescue Detachment Officer in Charge. He has also served as Navigator in USS NEW ORLEANS (LPH-11) and USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) as well as Executive Officer of USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67). CAPT Lupton has commanded Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SIX home ported in Norfolk, Virginia and Helicopter Combat Support Squadron THREE home ported in San Diego, California.

Ashore, CAPT Lupton served as Operations Officer and flight instructor in Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT and as the Helicopter Sea Assignment Officer and Shore Coordinator at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Arlington, Virginia. He most recently served ashore as the Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff to the Director for Operational Plans and Joint Force Development, J-7, the Joint Staff. He became Commanding Officer of USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19), home ported in Yokosuka, Japan, Nov. 24, 2009.

His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5 awards), Air Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards) as well as numerous campaign and unit awards. He is also a two-time recipient of the Navy-Marine Corps Association Leadership Award.

 NEWS
YOKOSUKA, Japan (June 19, 2010)--Family members aboard 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) watch the Japanese coastli
Family Members Aboard 7th Fleet Command Ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19)
YOKOSUKA, Japan - Family members aboard 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) watch the Japanese coastline from the main deck of the flagship as the ship was underway to Tokyo. Friends and family of Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet staff Sailors as well as sailors of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force were invited aboard for the 4-hour underway, which featured damage control equipment demonstrations and performance by the 7th Fleet band. Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. Rudy Lupton and se
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) is currently underway in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility in the Pacific Ocean.
Seventh Fleet repositions ships after contamination detected
PACIFIC OCEAN (March 12, 2011) -- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) is currently underway in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility in the Pacific Ocean.
Chinhae Supply Delivers to U.S. Navy Ships in Korea
CHINHAE, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- Sailors from U.S. Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, (FISC) Yokosuka Detachment at Commander, Fleet Activities Chinhae (CFAC) support USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) during a port visit to the Republic of Korea March 5.
Blue Ridge Crew Welcomes Osan Command Chief Master Sergeant
CHINHAE, Korea (NNS) -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) hosted a visit from the command chief master sergeant of 7th Air Force from Osan Air Force Base, Korea, March 16.
The U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) transits the Pacific Ocean during a scheduled spring deployment.
Blue Ridge visits Fukuoka
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked 7th Fleet staff Sailors arrived in Fukuoka, Japan May 1 for the flagship's first visit to the city since 1981.
Blue Ridge Spreads Goodwill in Vladivostok
VLADIVOSTOK Russia (May 9, 2010) - The color guard leads Sailors, and Marines of the 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) march in the Victory Day parade commemorating the defeat of a common threat by Russia and allied forces. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II. (U.S. Navy Photo by CAPT Michael J. Krentz/Released)
Blue Ridge Kicks Off Pacific Partnership 2010
KOROR, Palau (NNS) -- U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) kicked off Pacific Partnership 2010 at the Ngarachemayong Community Center in Koror, Palau with an opening ceremony July 26
USS Blue Ridge, 7th Fleet Conclude Pacific Partnership 2010 Palau
PELELIU, Republic of Palau - Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Christopher Moore, assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), receives a high-five from a toddler after taking vitals at the Southern Community Health Center in the Republic of Palau. Blue Ridge is in the Republic of Palau conducting Pacific Partnership 2010, the fifth in a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet endeavors to strengthen regional relationships with host and partner nations.
Capt. Rudy Lupton, left, commanding officer of the U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19)
Blue Ridge Arrives in Korea
BUSAN, Korea (NNS) -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK), Aug. 13 in support of Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet's participation in the combined forces exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian with the ROK Navy.
PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 29, 2010) Operations Specialist 3rd Class Michael Sumlar launches an SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter aboard U.S.
Blue Ridge trains on vertical replenishment maneuvers
PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 29, 2010) Operations Specialist 3rd Class Michael Sumlar launches an SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter aboard U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Blue Ridge is conducting flight operations to train on vertical replenishment maneuvers. Blue Ridge serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy's only forward deployed amphibious force
YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- U.S. 7th Fleet held a change of command ceremony on board USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Sept. 10.
US 7th Fleet Changes Hands
YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- U.S. 7th Fleet held a change of command ceremony on board USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Sept. 10.
Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Guillermo Weillard carves a Christmas turkey during dinner service aboard USS Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge Hosts Sailors, Families for Christmas Dinner
YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 25, 2010) Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Guillermo Weillard carves a Christmas turkey during dinner service aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).
Fireworks above Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka's harbor illuminate U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19)
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) during a New Year’s Day celebration
YOKOSUKA, Japan (Jan. 1, 2011) Fireworks above Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka's harbor illuminate U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) during a New Year’s Day celebration.
Culinary Specialists 3rd Class Andreya McGhee, right, and James Peter prepare a beef tenderloin dish aboard USS Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge Receives 2011 Ney Award for Food Service Excellence
YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 1, 2011) - The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) congratulated USS Blue Ridge's (LCC 19) food service division in a message Jan. 27.
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Hosts JMSDF Medical Professionals
Blue Ridge Hosts JMSDF Medical Professionals
YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 1, 2011) - Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Christopher Moore,7th Fleet independant duty corpsman, gives a tour on the main deck of the 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) to medical students with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.
USS Blue Ridge Arrives in Manila
MANILA, Philippines - The 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Manila, Philippines, Feb. 13, for the ship's first port visit to the island nation since August 2010.
USS Blue Ridge Arrives in Hong Kong
HONG KONG (Feb. 20, 2011) - Seventh Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Hong Kong on Feb. 20 for the ship's first port visit since March 2010.
Yeoman 2nd Class William S. Herbst weeds grave stones at Clark Cemetery.
Blue Ridge Sailors, Philippine Marines Beautify Cemetery
ANGELES CITY, Philippines (Feb. 14, 2011) Yeoman 2nd Class William S. Herbst, assigned to the embarked staff aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), weeds grave stones at Clark Cemetery during a community service project. Blue Ridge is in Manila for a scheduled port visit during a spring patrol.
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Pierre Angeles speaks with Republic of the Philippines navy sailors about boiler console operations.
USS Blue Ridge Hosts Philippine Navy Engineers
MANILA, Republic of the Philippines (Feb. 13, 2011) Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Pierre Angeles, a boiler technician of the watch aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), speaks with Republic of the Philippines navy sailors about boiler console operations.
Blue Ridge Sailors make friends, cradles at Manila charity
Blue Ridge Sailors Make Friends, Cradles at Manila Charity
MANILA, Republic of the Philippines (Feb. 14, 2011) - Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Matthew Rozeboom, assigned to the 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), cuts wood to make furniture for children with a Republic of the Philippines Navy seabee at the Hospicio De San Jose in Manila.
The Papa flag is flown above U.S. 7th Fleet command flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) to recall all personnel
7th Fleet Postures Forces following Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
SINGAPORE (March 11, 2011) - The Papa flag is flown above U.S. 7th Fleet command flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) to recall all personnel to the ship, as the embarked staff assesses the aftermath of the 8.9 earthquake that struck Japan.
U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) departs Singapore.
USS Blue Ridge Readies to Provide Aid to Japan
SINGAPORE (March 12, 2011) Electronics Technician 3rd Class Cyril Ivanov briefs Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Jenna Welsh during sea and anchor detail as the U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) departs Singapore.
Sailors assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) load humanitarian assistance supplies.
Navy Units Prepare to Support Tsunami-Damaged Areas
SINGAPORE (March 11, 2011) Sailors assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) load humanitarian assistance supplies in Singapore to ensure the ship and crew are ready if directed to support earthquake and tsunami relief operations in Japan.
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19)
Blue Ridge Concludes Patrol
YOKOSUKA, Japan– USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), and embarked 7th Fleet staff from Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Pacific (FASTPAC) returned to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, April 11, following a two-month patrol and support of Operation Tomodachi.
USS Blue Ridge LCC 19 Change Of Command May 2011
Seventh Fleet Command Ship Blue Ridge Changes Command
YOKOSUKA, Japan - Seventh Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) held a change of command ceremony aboard the ship, May 11. Capt. Daniel Grieco relieved Capt. Rudy Lupton as USS Blue Ridge commanding officer.
Blue Ridge Sailors Tour HMAS Ballarat
Blue Ridge Sailors Tour HMAS Ballarat
USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea - Sailors assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) toured the Australian Anzac-class Frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH-155) May 9.

 Served with...
LCDR Kevin Ralston

Start Date: March 2011
End Date: October 2012
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