LCS 18 Photos

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

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

211129-N-PH222-1139 APRA HARBOR, Guam (Nov. 29, 2021) Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Tyler Houser, from Polk County, Florida, participates in a sea and anchor evolution 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

211129-N-PH222-1171 APRA HARBOR, Guam (Nov. 29, 2021) Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Wei Chen, from Oakland, California, prepares for evening colors from the flight deck 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

PHILIPPINE SEA

211127-N-PH222-2665 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 27, 2021) Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jerry Brown, from Middletown, Ohio, fires a M-240B machine gun on the foc’sle aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during a live fire 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

211126-N-PH222-1616 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 26, 2021) Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Marcus Lopez, from Ontario, California, stands ready with aircraft tie down chains and a chock as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter attached to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, conducts a flight maneuver above the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during routine flight 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

211126-N-PH222-1650 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 26, 2021) Sailors participate in a flight deck firefighting 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

PHILIPPINE SEA

211123-N-PH222-2080 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 23, 2021) Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Brian Dupuis, from Standish, Maine, left and, Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Jillian Aguilar, from Dallas, conduct maintenance on an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter attached to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21, 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

PHILIPPINE SEA

Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Eugene Smith, from Albany, Georgia, uses the “big eye” binoculars on the port bridge wing 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

211124-N-PH222-1051 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 24, 2021) Sailors transport 57mm MK 110 ammunition 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