211021-N-PH222-1114 PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 21, 2021) Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Emily Tan, from Gilbert, Ariz., inventories supplies in the hazmat locker aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during routine operations...

Sailors conduct a vertical replenishment from the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), with a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21, with dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Carl Brashear...

211020-N-PH222-1377 PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 20, 2021) Senior Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician Clark Griswold, from Berwick, Ill., stands watch aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during routine operations...

An Orange Park, Fla., native and 2003 Oakleaf High School/2017 University of Florida Graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the deployed Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18)...

Sailors conduct a foreign object debris walkdown on the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), prior to flight operations...

Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Javier Rosas, from San Mateo, Calif, left, and Lt. Garret Smart, from Draper, Utah, conduct a preflight inspection of a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21, prior to flight operations aboard...

Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) moors pier side in Subic Bay, Philippines, during a routine port visit...

Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), transits the South China Sea during routine operations...

Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation...

Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), left, pulls alongside Fleet replenishment Oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) prior to an underway replenishment...

Sailors attend a chemical, biological, and radiological training class in the mess decks aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during routine operations...

Aviation Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Cullen Penrod, from Jacksonville, Fla., signals to a MH-60S Seahawk Helicopter, assigned to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21, aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during flight operations...

Mineman 2nd Class Alan Molina, from Summit, Ill., stands look out watch on the starboard bridge wing aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during routine operations...

Sailors transfer 57mm Mark 110 ammunition on the foc’sle aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18)...

U.S. Sailors and U.S. Marines, assigned to Command Task Force 76, tour the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), with Command Master Chief Jessica Kerr, from Belmont, N.C...

Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Jasmine Munoz, from Henderson, Nev., stands look out watch on the starboard bridge wing aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18)...

Aviation Electrian's Mate 3rd Class Isaac Redding, from Wahoo, Neb., left, and Aviation Machinist's Mate 3nd Class Jordan Jackson, from Mace, Ariz., assigned to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21, shift colors, as Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS...

Mineman Seaman Timothy Messick, from Panama City, Fla., center, dons firefighting equipment during a damage control training exercise aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18)...

Engineman 1st Class Scott Kruse, from Murrieta, Calif., uses a fuel conditioning control panel aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during routine operations...

U.S. Marines with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit deploy equipment serving as an advanced staging platform aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during Noble Jaguar 2021, Oct. 5, 2021...

Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) transits the Philippine Sea during routine operations...

Engineman 1st Class Ryan Schneider, from Spencerville, Ohio, assigned to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), collects a fuel sample, during an underway replenishment-at-sea...

Commanding Officer of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) Cmdr. Clayton Beas, from Bloomington, Calif., uses binoculars in the pilot house during routine operations...

Sailors stand ready prior to flight operations aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18)...

Timelapse of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) leaving Arpa Harbor, Guam...

Basic B-Roll of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven...

Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) moors pier side in Apra Harbor, Guam...

Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jeremy Reynolds, from Chicago, prepares a stew in the galley aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18)...

Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Jerry Brown, from Middletown, Ohio, conducts maintenance on a navigational console on the bridge aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18)...

Sailors participate in a small boat training exercise aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18)...