Kiwi sailors thrive on US Navy flagship

USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), based with the US 7^th Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan, arrived in Wellington on May 16, marking a New Zealand first for the 55-year-old ship. It is the third US Navy warship visit since 2016.

Ensign Edward Suckling, Petty Officer Seamanship Combat Specialist Alex Croucher, Leading Communication Warfare Specialist Ashley O’Connor-Palmer and Able Seamanship Combat Specialist Te Matauranga Akuhata joined the ship in Yokosuka on 24 March as crewmembers for the journey south.

The USS Blue Ridge is a command and control ship that supports the US 7^th Fleet’s operations in the Indo-Pacific region. It is the oldest deployed warship in the US Navy.

At around 1,000 crew and nearly 200 metres long, the New Zealanders found Blue Ridge very different to Royal New Zealand Navy ships.

But the four were positive about the experience, citing easy-going Americans who were fun to be friends with and genuinely curious about ‘small navy’ culture in New Zealand.

POSCS Croucher says the sailors were envious that New Zealand sailors got to do lots of roles on a ship.

“In my trade in the US Navy, you’ve got set jobs to do. You get your tools, do the job, sign it off. And the rank structure is completely different here. The sailors were really curious about how we worked in a small navy, with lots of variation in our jobs.”

He says the American sailors work hard and are away for long deployments.

“For these guys, coming ‘home’ is returning to Yokosuka. People have to build their lives there. It makes you grateful to be in the New Zealand Navy.”

There is a lot of competition for exchanges like these, he says.

“You can get a lot of applications in, but a lot of people might not be releasable. I was lucky, being in between postings – right place, right time.”

ENS Stuckling had a similar experience with tighter job roles, finding himself on the bridge watchkeeping duties from the word go.

“I was doing the middle watches (midnight) a lot of the time, and I got to be on the bridge when we came into Wellington. I think I’m the first New Zealand officer to be on a US Navy ship coming into New Zealand.”

He says it is definitely a culture shock. “I’m still seeing people on board I haven’t seen before. And in New Zealand ships I’m used to doing lots of things. On Blue Ridge you stick to your designated role.”

ASCS Akuhata jumped at the chance to get to sea when his career manager asked if he would like an exchange posting on board a US Navy ship.

“After coming off HMNZS Manawanui, I didn’t have a sea posting coming up. I was ready for sea and didn’t mind what it would be.”

His duties included gun maintenance and shipwide maintenance.

“It was a really good experience. I’d tell anyone, if the opportunity came up, grab it with both hands.”

LCWS O’Connor-Palmer says she was involved in “all things computers” aboard Blue Ridge, as well as shipboard maintenance tasks.

The highlights were making good friends and laughing over the differences in culture – from Kiwi slang to American food.

That included the humorous reactions to a US Embassy ‘Welcome to New Zealand’ tasting session on board, featuring Kiwiana items like Marmite, feijoas, Pineapple Lumps, Jaffas and L&P.

“If anyone got the opportunity, I’d tell them to enjoy themselves, come with an open mind, and make the most of it.”