Photos

U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

211207-N-PH222-1634 PORT HERA, Timor-Leste (Dec. 7, 2021) Chief Gunner's Mate Ronald Clark, from Temecula, California, conducts .50 caliber machine gun training with members of the Timor-Leste Defense Force during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) from the hangar bay aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). 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

U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

211207-N-PH222-1134 PORT HERA, Timor-Leste (Dec. 7, 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

U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

211207-N-PH222-1068 PORT HERA, Timor-Leste (Dec. 7, 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

BAY OF BENGAL

211207-N-LI768-3002 BAY OF BENGAL (Dec. 7, 2021) – Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Brandon Matlock, from Spokane, Washington, looks out from an MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, during 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. USS Tulsa (LCS 16), 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

211207-N-LI768-2082 BAY OF BENGAL (Dec. 7, 2021) - The Bangladesh Navy corvette BNS Prottoy (F 112) sails alongside the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) for a replenishment-at-sea exercise during 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

BAY OF BENGAL

211207-N-LI768-2110 BAY OF BENGAL (Dec. 7, 2021) - The Bangladesh Navy patrol frigate BNS Somudra Avijan (F 29) approaches the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) for a replenishment-at-sea exercise during 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

BAY OF BENGAL

211207-N-LI768-1067 BAY OF BENGAL (Dec. 7, 2021) - Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Aaron Machart, from Sugar Land, Texas, fires a .50-caliber machine gun aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) for a gunnery exercise during 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

BAY OF BENGAL

211207-N-LI768-1015 BAY OF BENGAL (Dec. 7, 2021) - The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) transits the Bay of Bengal for a gunnery exercise during 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

PORT HERA, TimorLeste

211207-N-PH222-1568 PORT HERA, Timor-Leste (Dec. 7, 2021) Sailors conduct flight deck firefighting training with members of the Timor-Leste Defense Force during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) from the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). 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

PHILIPPINE SEA

211130-N-PH222-1096 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 30, 2021) Sailors participate in medical emergency response training on the mess decks aboard 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

211201-N-PH222-1026 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 30, 2021) Chief Hospital Corpsman Tiffany Kidd, from San Antonio, prepares to administer a flu vaccination 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

CERAM SEA

211204-N-PH222-1138 CERAM SEA (Dec. 4, 2021) Cmdr. Clayton Beas, from Bloomington, California, commanding officer of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), speaks to Sailors during an all hands call from the flight deck. 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