Photos

PHILIPPINE SEA

211216-N-PH222-1658 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 16, 2021) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Jillian Aguilar, from Dallas, assigned to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, poses for a photo 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

DILI, EAST TIMOR

211208-N-PH222-2009 DILI, Timor-Leste (Dec. 8, 2021) Left to right, Thomas E. Daley, charge d’affaires, United States Embassy, Cmdr. Clayton Beas, commanding officer of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), Brig. Gen. Calisto “Coliati” dos Santos, Chief of Staff Timor-Leste Defense Force, and Chief Superintendent Henrique da Costa, Timor-Leste National Police, participate in a cake cutting ceremony in the hangar bay during a reception in Dili, Timor-Leste. 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

GUAM

211210-N-FA490-2017 ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (Dec. 10, 2021) – Naval Aircrewman (helicopter) 2nd Class Noah Padilla, from Bakersfield, California, left, observes Naval Aircrewman (helicopter) 2nd Class Joseph Aubrey, from Coral Springs, Florida, both assigned to the “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, demonstrating how to place a patient into a litter during search and rescue (SAR) training. HSC-23, 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 3rd Class Andrew Langholf) Share

BANDA SEA

211210-N-PH222-1053 BANDA SEA (Dec. 9, 2021) Sailors conduct a search and rescue plot exercise in the pilot house aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during routine operation. 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

BANDA SEA

211209-N-PH222-1081 BANDA SEA (Dec. 9, 2021) Culinary Specialist Seaman Jeremy Reynolds, from Chicago, looks at an emergency escape breathing device during damage control petty officer training on the mess decks 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

PHILIPPINE SEA

211211-N-PH222-1088 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 11, 2021) Sailors conduct chemical, biological and radiological training in the hangar bay 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

PHILIPPINE SEA

211212-N-PH222-1401 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 12, 2021) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, participates in a vertical replenishment exercise with Sailors 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

ANDAMAN SEA

211213-N-LI768-1066 ANDAMAN SEA (Dec. 13, 2021) – Sailors aboard an 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) are lowered to the water during boat operations 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

ANDAMAN SEA

211212-N-LI768-2014 ANDAMAN SEA (Dec. 12, 2021) – The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) transits the Andaman 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

CHATTOGRAM, BANGLADESH

211210-N-LI768-2007 CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (Dec. 10, 2021) – Sailors man the rails as the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) departs Chattogram, Bangladesh. 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

CHATTOGRAM, BANGLADESH

211210-N-LI768-1255 CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (Dec. 10, 2021) – From left, the honorable Mr. Ito Naoki, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, the honorable Mr. Earl R. Miller, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, Cmdr. Travis Dvorak, commanding officer of USS Tulsa, the honorable Mr. Robert Chatterton Dixon, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, and Dr. Sacha Blumen, First Secretary, Australian High Commission, Dhaka, pose for a photo during a tour aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship. 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

CHATTOGRAM, BANGLADESH

211209-N-LI768-1159 CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (Dec. 9, 2021) – Cmdr. Erin Connor, executive officer of USS Tulsa (LCS 16), right, explains ship operations to the honorable Mr. Earl R. Miller, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship during a reception for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh 2021. In its 27th year, CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. 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