LCS 18 Photos

SOUTH CHINA SEA

230329-N-HG846-1103 SOUTH CHINA SEA (March 29, 2023) – Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Carson Fogg, from Sacramento, California directs 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) in the South China Sea, March 29. 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 Allies and 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

INDIAN OCEAN

230316-N-HG846-1001 INDIAN OCEAN (March 16, 2023) – Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) fires the MK110 (57mm) gun during a live-fire exercise in the Indian Ocean, March 16. 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 Allies and 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

SINGAPORE

230324-N-HG846-1119 SINGAPORE (March 24, 2023) – Cdr. Andrew (Spike) Lamson walks through the side boys during the Charleston Gold Crew change of command ceremony on the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) in Singapore, March 24. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance cooperation with Allies and 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

BAY OF BENGAL

230313-N-HG846-1128 BAY OF BENGAL (March 13, 2023) – Command Senior Chief John Shubert, from WaKeeney, Kanas, looks toward the Indian Navy Shivalik-class stealth frigate INS Sahyadri (F49) during joint training exercise La Pérouse 2023 on the bridge wing aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) in the Bay of Bengal, March 13. La Pérouse is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance cooperation in the field of maritime surveillance, interdiction operations and air operations by progressive training and information sharing. 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 Allies and 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

BAY OF BENGAL

230310-N-HG846-1013 BAY OF BENGAL (March 10, 2023) – Gunner’s Mate Chief Andrew Levett, left, from Parker, Colorado, and Mineman 1st Class Danielle Epperson, from Dalton, Georgia, transfers 57mm training rounds on the foc’sle aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) in the Bay of Bengal, March 10. 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 Allies and 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

BAY OF BENGAL

230313-N-HG846-1099 BAY OF BENGAL (March 13, 2023) – Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) leads French Navy La Fayette-class frigate FS La Fayette (F 710) and Indian navy Shivalik-class stealth frigate Sahyadri (F49) during joint training exercise La Pérouse 2023 in the Bay of Bengal, March 13. La Pérouse is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance cooperation in the field of maritime surveillance, interdiction operations and air operations by progressive training and information sharing. 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 Allies and 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

BAY OF BENGAL

230313-N-HG846-1283 BAY OF BENGAL (Mar. 13, 2023) – Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Carson Fogg, from Sacramento, California, salutes the pilots of an Indian Navy HAL Chetak Alouette III after take-off from the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during joint training exercise La Pérouse 2023 in the Bay of Bengal, March 13. La Pérouse is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance cooperation in the field of maritime surveillance, interdiction operations and air operations by progressive training and information sharing. 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 Allies and 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

BAY OF BENGAL

230314-N-HG846-1137 BAY OF BENGAL (Mar. 14, 2023) – Ships steam in formation with Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during joint training exercise La Pérouse 2023 in the Bay of Bengal, March 14. La Pérouse is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance cooperation in the field of maritime surveillance, interdiction operations and air operations by progressive training and information sharing. 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 Allies and 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

BAY OF BENGAL

230314-N-HG846-1021 BAY OF BENGAL (Mar. 14, 2023) – Mineman 2nd Class Santiago Lopez, from Bronx, New York, directs a French Navy H160 Airbus to land on the flight deck aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during joint training exercise La Pérouse 2023 in the Bay of Bengal, March 14. La Pérouse is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance cooperation in the field of maritime surveillance, interdiction operations and air operations by progressive training and information sharing. 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 Allies and 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

BAY OF BENGAL

230314-O-NR876-052 BAY OF BENGAL (Mar. 14, 2023) Participant ships of joint training exercise La Pérouse 2023 sail in formation in the Bay of Bengal, March 14. La Pérouse is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance cooperation in the field of maritime surveillance, interdiction operations and air operations by progressive training and information sharing. The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), part of Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (Photo courtesy of Royal Navy) Share

BAY OF BENGAL

230314-O-NR876-118 Participant ships of joint training exercise La Pérouse 2023 sail in formation in the Bay of Bengal, March 14. La Pérouse is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance cooperation in the field of maritime surveillance, interdiction operations and air operations by progressive training and information sharing. The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), part of Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (Photo courtesy of Royal Navy) Share

STRAIT OF MALACCA

230228-N-HG846-1014 STRAIT OF MALACCA (Feb. 28, 2023) – Machinist Mate 3rd Class Sylvia Slenandore, from Austin, Texas, conducts rear rotary maintenance on an MH-60S Seahawk assigned to the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 in the hangar bay aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) in the Strait of Malacca, Feb. 28. 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 Allies and 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