NAVY FACT FILE 
AMPHIBIOUS COMMAND SHIPS 
 
MISSION: To provide amphibious command and control in major  
amphibious operations. 
 
COMMENTARY: These are the only ships to be designed initially for 
an amphibious command ship role. Earlier amphibious command ships 
lacked sufficient speed to operate with a 20-knot amphibious force. 
Subsequently, both ships became fleet flagships. USS Blue Ridge 
became the Seventh Fleet flagship in 1979. USS Mount Whitney became 
the Second Fleet flagship in 1981. 
 
BLUE RIDGE CLASS 
Displacement:   19,000 tons full load 
Length:    620 feet 
Beam: 82 feet 
Speed:     23 knots 
Power Plant:    2 boilers, 1 geared turbine, 1 shaft; 
22,000 horsepower 
Aircraft:  Utility helicopter can be carried 
Complement:     720 (40 officers, 680 enlisted) 
Builders:  LCC 19 Philadelphia Shipyard;<R>LCC 20 Newport 
News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. 
 
Units 
USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19); Yokosuka, Japan 
USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20); Norfolk, VA 
 
 
SOURCE: Department of the Navy (OP-03PA); Washington, DC 
20350-2000; (202) 697-6049