160225-N-CZ848-033 OSAKA, Japan (Feb. 25, 2016) The color guard assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) parades the colors at a Big Top reception on the ship's main deck. Blue Ridge, and embarked 7th Fleet staff, kicked off its spring patrol with a three-day port visit to Japan’s cultural center. The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Kofonow/Released)