Photos

PHILIPPINE SEA

211125-N-PH222-1137 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 25, 2021) Chief Boatswain's Mate Cordaryl Sims, from Atlanta, right, and Chief Gunner's Mate Darius Sullivan, from Laurel, Mississippi, prepare a dish for a thanksgiving meal 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

STRAIT OF MALACCA

211128-N-LI768-1057 STRAIT OF MALACCA (Nov. 28, 2021) – Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Brandon Matlock, from Spokane, Washington, assigned to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, looks out from an MH-60S Sea Hawk Helicopter during a search and rescue exercise for Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Malaysia 2021. MTA Malaysia 2021 is a continuation of 27 years of maritime engagements between the U.S. Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy serving to enhance mutual capabilities in ensuring maritime security and stability. HSC 21 is deployed with 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

STRAIT OF MALACCA

211128-N-LI768-2028 STRAIT OF MALACCA (Nov. 28, 2021) – Sailors prepare to fire a .50-caliber machine gun from the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) during a weapons exercise for Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Malaysia 2021. MTA Malaysia 2021 is a continuation of 27 years of maritime engagements between the U.S. Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy serving to enhance mutual capabilities in ensuring maritime security and stability. 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

LCS 18

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Michael Hice, from Chula Vista, California, center right, stands ready during a flight deck fire drill 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

STRAIT OF MALACCA

STRAIT OF MALACCA (Nov. 27, 2021) Chief Quartermaster Matthew Rivera, from Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania, looks for flashing signals as the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) conducts a tactical signal exercise with the Royal Malaysian Navy during Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Malaysia 2021. MTA Malaysia 2021 is a continuation of 27 years of maritime engagements between the U.S. Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy serving to enhance mutual capabilities in ensuring maritime security and stability. 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

STRAIT OF MALACCA

STRAIT OF MALACCA (Nov. 27, 2021) From front, the U.S. Navy Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16), Royal Malaysian Navy frigate KD Lekiu (FFG 30) and corvette KD Lekir (F 26) sail in formation during Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Malaysia 2021. MTA Malaysia 2021 is a continuation of 27 years of maritime engagements between the U.S. Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy serving to enhance mutual capabilities in ensuring maritime security and stability. 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

PORT LAE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

211122-N-PH222-1227 PORT LAE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (Nov. 22, 2021) Sailors stand 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 Seven, 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

PORT LAE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

211123-N-PH222-1478 PORT LAE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (Nov. 23, 2021) Engineman 3rd Class James Whitaker, from Dunn, N.C., participates in morning colors from the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, 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

PORT LAE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

211123-N-PH222-1650 PORT LAE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (Nov. 23, 2021) Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) moors pier side in Port Lae, Papua New Guinea. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, 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

211120-N-PH222-2046 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 20, 2021) Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) transits the Philippine Sea during routine operations. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, 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

SOUTH CHINA SEA

211122-N-LI768-1137 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2021) –The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198). Tulsa, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, 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

PHILIPPINE SEA

211122-N-FA490-1083 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 22, 2021) Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Rafael Ruvalcaba, from El Paso, Texas, pre-stages a fire hose in the mission bay of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6), during damage control firefighting drills. Jackson, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, 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/released) Share