170401-N-DF478-029 YOKOSUKA, Japan (April 1, 2017)

170401-N-DF478-029 YOKOSUKA, Japan (April 1, 2017) - U.S. Command 7th Fleet and the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) combined chiefs' mess perform evening colors to honor the fallen chiefs during a observance held on the 124th birthday of the chief petty officer rank. The rank of chief petty officer was officially established on April 1, 1893. Blue Ridge is in an extensive maintenance period in order to modernize the ship to continue to serve as a robust communications platform in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Marvin E. Thompson Jr./ RELEASED)