Photos

PHILIPPINE SEA

211228-N-PH222-1327 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 28, 2021) Sailors assigned to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, prepare to transport a Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish unmanned underwater vehicle inflatable sled during a mine countermeasures exercise. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

211228-N-PH222-1308 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 28, 2021) Mineman 3rd Class Francisco Vera, from Tracy, California, conducts maintenance on equipment aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during routine operations. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

211226-N-PH222-1109 ARPA HARBOR, Guam (Dec. 26, 2021) Sailors observe morning colors from the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during routine operations. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

211221-N-FA490-1037 APRA HARBOR, Guam (Dec. 21, 2021) Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Irish-Baevin Doblan, from Manila, Philippines, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, assigned to the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6), performs corrosion prevention on an MQ-8C Fire Scout on the flight deck of Jackson. HSC-23 and Jackson, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, are on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Langholf) Share

LCS 16

211223-N-LI768-2003 SAN BERNARDINO STRAIT (Dec. 23, 2021) – The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) conducts an archipelagic sea lane passage through the San Bernardino Strait, crossing from the South China Sea into the Philippine Sea. Tulsa, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Devin M. Langer) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

211220-N-LI768-1001 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 20, 2021) – An infographic with statistics from October to December 2021 for the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16). Tulsa, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Devin M. Langer) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

211222-N-PH222-1821 APRA HARBOR, Guam (Dec. 22, 2021) Lt. Michael Kinzie, from Honolulu, center, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, discusses the capabilities of the Mk 18 Mod 1 Swordfish Unmanned Underwater Vehicle with Cmdr. Clayton Beas, left, commanding officer of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during a visit to EODMU 5. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

211221-N-PH222-1813 APRA HARBOR, Guam (Dec. 16, 2021) Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Sharmaen Threadgill, from Subic Bay, Philippines, reads a book during a United Through Reading video recording aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

211221-N-PH222-1779 APRA HARBOR, Guam (Dec. 21, 2021)Fire Controlman 3rd Class Jonathan Ortega, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, assigned to Mine Division Twelve, conducts maintenance on overhead lighting aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during a port visit to Apra Harbor, Guam. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

211216-N-PH222-1699 APRA HARBOR, Guam (Dec. 16, 2021) Mineman 3rd Class Daniel Kern, from Harrison, Ohio, stands topside rover watch from the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during a port visit to Apra Harbor, Guam. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

211216-N-PH222-1668 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 16, 2021) Chief Quartermaster Johnathan Restrepo, from Cali, Colombia, right, stands watch in the pilot house aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during a sea and anchor evolution. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

211216-N-PH222-1592 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 16, 2021) Sailors prepare to remove chocks and chains from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, during flight operations aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden) Share