US 7th Fleet’s Blue Ridge docks in Manila, reinforcing PH-US alliance

Philippine Canadian Inquirer
March 18, 2026

Ensign Ayana Bullock, left, and Ensign Chance Sylvester look out from the bridge wing aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) as the ship prepares to enter port in Manila, Philippines from Manila Bay, March 16, 2026. (Photo courtesy: US 7th Fleet)

MANILA, Philippines — The USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) of the United States’ 7th Fleet arrived in Manila for a scheduled port visit on Monday, March 16.

During their visit, they met with their counterparts in the Philippine Navy and other local leaders to discuss ways of improving operational readiness, advancing future military capabilities, and thereby reinforcing the US-Philippine defence ties built on continual and expanding military exercises such as Maritime Cooperative Activities, Sama Sama, and Balikatan.

“It is heartening to see the warm welcome received by the Sailors and Marines from the USS Blue Ridge,” said U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires Y. Robert Ewing.

“Through experiences like these, we enhance our capability to collaborate effectively and work shoulder-to-shoulder to protect Philippine and U.S. interests through an Alliance that contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

The Blue Ridge and the U.S. 7th Fleet described themselves as regular partrollers in the Indo-Pacific region to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance future warfighting capabilities.

Blue Ridge’s last visit to Manila was in 2024.