LCS 18 Photos

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

220502-O-NR876-433 APRA HARBOR, Guam (May 2, 2022) The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) moored pierside at Naval Base Guam. 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

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

220427-O-NR876-431 APRA HARBOR, Guam (April 27, 2022) The 11m rigid-hull inflatable boat (RIB) drives towards the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS-18) as the surface tow cradle (STC) is lowered in preparation to recover the RIB. 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 Senior Chief Operations Specialist Cory Klump) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

220413-O-NR876-378 APRA HARBOR, Guam (April 13, 2022) – Sailors man a firefighting hose and form a coordinated attack team during damage control training aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). 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

PHILIPPINE SEA

220328-O-NR876-878 PHILLIPPINE SEA (March 28, 2022) – Sailors from the French Navy Floréal-class frigate FS Vendémiaire (F 734) board a helicopter to depart the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). 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 Mineman 1st Class Philip Dalton) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

220325-O-NR876-606 PHILLIPPINE SEA (March 25, 2022) – An MQ-8B Fire Scout, assigned to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, launches from the flight deck of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). 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 Mineman 1st Class Philip Dalton) Share

PHILIPPINE SEA

220328-O-NR876-536 PHILLIPPINE SEA (March 28, 2022) – The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), right, conducts a division tactic (DIVTAC) exercise with the French frigate FS Vendémiaire (F 734) in the Philippine Sea. 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 Mineman 1st Class Philip Dalton) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

220317-O-NR876-760 APRA HARBOR, Guam (March 17, 2022) – Cmdr. John Actkinson, commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), presents the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and plaque to Damage Controlman 2nd Class Matthew Luxton for his selection as Mine Division 12’s Junior Sailor of the Year, Fiscal Year 2021. 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 Mineman 1st Class Philip Dalton) Share

APRA HARBOR, GUAM

220317-O-NR876-496 APRA HARBOR, Guam (March 17, 2022) – Command Master Chief Donald Alvarado gives a speech to the Sailors aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). 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 Mineman 1st Class Philip Dalton) Share

SOUTH CHINA SEA

220209-N-PH222-1059 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 9, 2022) Fire Controlman 1st Class Timothy Stephenson, from Columbus, Indiana, fires a M9 pistol on the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during a small arms qualification course. 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

SOUTH CHINA SEA

220208-N-PH222-1092 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 8, 2022) Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), right, pulls alongside fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200), prior to conducting a replenishment-at-sea. 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

SOUTH CHINA SEA

220207-N-PH222-1024 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 7, 2022) Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Eugene Smith, left, from Albany, Georgia, and Chief Gunner's Mate Ronald Clark, from Temecula, California, participate in a live fire gunnery exercise using a .50 caliber machine gun 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

SOUTH CHINA SEA

220201-N-PH222-1014 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 1, 2022) Chief Damage Controlman Raul Avila, from Inglewood, California, conducts training on sounding tape during damage control training 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