U.S. 7th Fleet flagship docks in Laem Chabang for U.S.-Thai military cooperation

2026-03-26 - 06:30

CHONBURI — The U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), arrived at Laem Chabang Port on Thursday for a scheduled port visit, continuing efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Thai military partnership. The ship last visited Thailand in June 2024. During the stop, Blue Ridge leadership met with Thai Navy officials and local authorities to discuss enhancing operational readiness, advancing future military capabilities, and reinforcing the U.S.-Thai alliance. The visit underscores ongoing cooperation through joint exercises such as Cobra Gold and CARAT, officials said. Rear Adm. Kyle Gantt, deputy commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, said the visit highlights “over 190 years of friendly, formal relations” between the two countries. He added that engagements like staff talks and military exercises “steadily build our collective ability to ensure a prosperous, free and open Indo-Pacific.” Sailors aboard Blue Ridge also took part in community events and ship tours, while the port served as a stop for refueling and resupply. USS Blue Ridge, named after the Blue Ridge Mountains in the eastern United States, has been the command ship for the U.S. 7th Fleet since 1979. Over its decades of service, the ship has supported major operations including the evacuation of Saigon in 1975 and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990–91. The 18,500-ton ship remains forward-deployed from Yokosuka, Japan, and is equipped with advanced communications and command systems, allowing the 7th Fleet to conduct regional operations and host fleet commanders year-round. The U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely operates with allies in the Indo-Pacific to promote stability, deter aggression, and maintain a free and open maritime environment.