Photos

CERAM SEA

211204-N-PH222-1265 CERAM SEA (Dec. 4, 2021) Mineman 2nd Class Mason Alt, from Thomasville, Alabama, dons gloves in the mission bay aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during a main space fire drill. 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

211202-N-PH222-1032 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 2, 2021) Damage Controlman 3rd Class Carter Cunningham, from Sacramento, California, center right, conducts damage control training on an aqueous film forming foam proportioning station 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

BAY OF BENGAL

211202-N-LI768-1074 BAY OF BENGAL (Dec. 2, 2021) – Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Damian Guerraguerra, from Las Vegas, salutes as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, takes off from the flight deck of 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

BAY OF BENGAL

211201-N-LI768-1015 BAY OF BENGAL (Dec. 1, 2021) - The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) transits the Bay of Bengal. 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

BAY OF BENGAL

211202-N-LI768-2023 BAY OF BENGAL (Dec. 2, 2021) – Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Phoeun Tem, from Sacramento, California, signals for hose-teams to move forward during aircraft firefighting training aboard 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

BAY OF BENGAL

211204-N-LI768-1108 BAY OF BENGAL (Dec. 4, 2021) – Sailors inspect for hotspots in main machinery room number two during damage control training aboard 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

SAVU SEA

211206-N-PH222-2474 SAVU SEA (Dec. 6, 2021) Aviation Electronic's Technician 2nd Class Labaron Johnson, from Conroe, Texas, assigned to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, gives a tour to members of the Timor-Leste Defense Force of an MH-60S Sea Hawk from the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. In its 27th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partnered navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. 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

SAVU SEA

211206-N-PH222-1929 SAVU SEA (Dec. 6, 2021) Chief Gunner's Mate Ronald Clark, from Temecula, California, conducts visit, board, search, and seizure training with members of the Timor-Leste Defense Force aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. In its 27th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partnered navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. 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

SAVU SEA

211206-N-PH222-1767 SAVU SEA (Dec. 6, 2021) Hull Technician 1st Class Andrew Vanwagner, from Lagrangeville, New York, left, conducts damage control training with members of the Timor-Leste Defense Force from the mission bay aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. In its 27th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partnered navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. 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

SAVU SEA

211206-N-PH222-1560 SAVU SEA (Dec. 6, 2021) Lt. Cmdr. Xeng Xiong, from St. Paul, Minnesota, center, assigned to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), speak with members of the Timor-Leste Defense Force during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. In its 27th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partnered navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. 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

SAVU SEA

211206-N-PH222-1201 SAVU SEA (Dec. 6, 2021) Members of the Timor-Leste Defense Force embark Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) from a rigid-hull inflatable boat during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. In its 27th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partnered navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. 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

SAVU SEA

211206-N-PH222-1011 SAVU SEA (Dec. 6, 2021) Members of the Timor-Leste Defense Force maneuver a rigid-hull inflatable boat alongside Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. In its 27th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partnered navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. 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