160227-N-NM917-017 OSAKA BAY, Japan (Feb. 27, 2016) - Commanding Officer of the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), Capt. Kyle P. Higgins, left, discusses the ship's departure route with Japanese Pilot, Capt. Kokubo. Blue Ridge conducted a regularly scheduled port visit during its patrol of the 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jordan Kirkjohnson/Released)