LCS 18 Photos

SOUTH SHINA SEA

230117-N-HG846-1113 SOUTH CHINA SEA (January 17, 2023) – Sailors direct an MH-60S Seahawk, assigned to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, to take-off on the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). Charleston, 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 2nd Class Daniel Serianni) Share

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI

221027-O-NR876-859 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei (Oct. 27, 2022) - Sgt. Ethan Nottingham, assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, demonstrates mobile communications equipment to Chief Operations Specialist Cory J. Woll, from Staten Island, New York, assigned to the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), and Lt. j.g. Brandon Aro, assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 10, aboard Charleston in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Oct. 27. Charleston, 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 courtesy photo) Share

ARAFURA SEA

220920-O-NR876-207 ARAFURA SEA (SEP. 20, 2022) The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Supply-class replenishment oiler HMAS Stalwart (A304) during the RAN Exercise Kakadu 2022 (KA22) in the waters off Northern Australian, Sept. 20, 2022. KA22 is the 15th iteration of the RAN’s flagship biennial regional maritime international engagement exercise, drawing together approximately 3000 personnel, 15 warships and more than 30 aircraft from 22 countries. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Operations Specialist Cory J. Woll) Share

ARAFURA SEA

220916-O-NR876-712 ARAFURA SEA (Sept. 16, 2022) - The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), Royal Thai Navy frigate HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej (FFG 471), Royal Malaysian Navy frigate KD Lekiu (FFG 30) sail in formation during the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Exercise Kakadu 2022 (KA22) in the waters off Northern Australian, Sept. 16, 2022. KA22 is the 15th iteration of the RAN’s flagship biennial regional maritime international engagement exercise, drawing together approximately 3000 personnel, 15 warships and more than 30 aircraft from 22 countries. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Operations Specialist Cory J. Woll) Share

NATUNA SEA

220804-O-NR876-651 NATUNA SEA (Aug. 4, 2022) Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL) sailors assigned to the Bung Tomo-class corvette KRI Bung Tomo (357) participate in a visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) exercise aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during Super Garuda Shield in the Natuna Sea Aug. 4, 2022. Charleston, 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. Garuda Shield is an annual combined and joint exercise between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign M. Meaghan Allen) Share

NATUNA SEA

220804-O-NR876-296 NATUNA SEA (Aug. 4, 2022) Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL) sailors assigned to the Bung Tomo-class corvette KRI Bung Tomo (357) participate in a visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) exercise aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during Super Garuda Shield in the Natuna Sea Aug. 4, 2022. Charleston, 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. Garuda Shield is an annual combined and joint exercise between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign M. Meaghan Allen) Share

NATUNA SEA

220803-O-NR876-971 NATUNA SEA (Aug. 3, 2022) Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL), Republic of Singapore Navy, and U.S. Navy ships sail in formation during exercise Super Garuda Shield in the Natuna Sea Aug. 3, 2022. Garuda Shield is an annual combined and joint exercise between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (Courtesy photo by TNI) Share

NATUNA SEA

220804-O-NR876-042 NATUNA SEA (Aug. 4, 2022) Sailors from the amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and Bung Tomo-class corvette KRI Bung Tomo (357) pose for a photo during a visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) exercise aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) as a part of Super Garuda Shield in the Natuna Sea Aug. 4, 2022. Green Bay, part of Amphibious Squadron 11, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Charleston, 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. Garuda Shield is an annual combined and joint exercise between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Navy photo by Electricians Mate 1st Class Sharmaen Threadgill) Share

NATUNA SEA

220803-O-NR876-098 NATUNA SEA (Aug. 3, 2022) Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL), Republic of Singapore Navy, and U.S. Navy ships sail in formation during exercise Super Garuda Shield in the Natuna Sea Aug. 3, 2022. Garuda Shield is an annual combined and joint exercise between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (Courtesy photo by TNI) Share

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

220622-N-QD512-1084 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Jun. 21, 2022) - The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) arrives at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY). Charleston is currently operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. For 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th fleet's forward deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families. (U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Kaleb J. Sarten) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

220521-O-NR876-238 PHILIPPINE SEA (May 21, 2022) An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, detachment 8, transports pallets of supplies from the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) to the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102). Charleston, 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 Ensign James French) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

220505-O-NR876-488 PHILIPPINE SEA (May 3, 2022) The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) conducts routine operations while underway in the Philippine Sea. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron 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 Ensign James French) Share