Australian Chief Minister of Northern Territory Tours USS Canberra (LCS 30)

by Petty Officer 2nd Class Vance Hand

11 September 2023
SAN DIEGO — The Australian Chief Minister of Northern Territory toured the Independence-variant littoral combat USS Canberra (LCS 30) in San Diego, Sept. 11.

Canberra returned to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego on August, 29 after conducting the first U.S. Navy ceremonial commissioning. Canberra and crew visited American Samoa and the Pacific Island Nation of Fiji prior to its arrival in Sydney for commissioning. Canberra commissioned at the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Base East in Sydney, Australia, July 22.

Natasha Fyles, the Australian Chief Minister of Northern Territory, received a tour of Canberra from Capt. Marc Crawford, commodore of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One and met with Cmdr. William Ashley, commander of USS Canberra (LCS 30) Blue Crew.

“We are incredibly honored to host Chief Minister Fyles today for a tour and highlight the deep connection with our namesake country,” said Ashley. “Visits like these strengthen the ties and commitment between our two Nations.”

Canberra was the first U.S. warship ceremoniously commissioned in an allied country, as well as the first foreign military entity granted Freedom of Entry to a foreign city in Australia. Granting Freedom of Entry is an honor bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary.

“The Northern Territory’s location in the Indo Pacific is critical to the allied strategy, regional stability and the maintenance of globally significant maritime routes,” Chief Minister Fyles said.

“Touring the USS Canberra was a honour - this tour was an excellent opportunity to reconfirm the Territory’s support for US defense activity at the Pacific Fleet’s base in San Diego.”

Canberra is the second U.S. Navy ship named for Australia’s capital. The first, a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser, was renamed from Pittsburgh to Canberra on October 16, 1942, and was commissioned on October 14, 1943. It was named in honor of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra, which was lost at the Battle of Savo Island in World War II.

Homeported in San Diego as a part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE, USS Canberra is a fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS like USS Canberra integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.