LCS 18 Photos

USS Charleston and HSC-21 Flight Ops

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)