FLIGHT QUARTERS! -- USS FREEDOM LCS (1) lands
her MH- 60 Sea Hawk helicopter after departing San Diego.
SAN DIEGO, March 1, 2013 -- USS FREEDOM (LCS 1) sailed today on her maiden deployment to Southeast Asia and her forward deployed base in Singapore.
According to a Navy press release, during the eight month deployment, Freedom will complete the first of many planned rotational deployments to the Western Pacific for the new LCS platform. Freedom will conduct maritime security operations with regional partners and allies. After making initial port visits in Hawaii and Guam, Freedom is expected to participate in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) in Singapore and in select phases of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series in Southeast Asia.
Freedom's "Gold" crew set sail under commander of the ship's Gold Crew commanding officer, Commander Timothy Wilke, USN.
During this first deployment of the Navy's first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom will demonstrate her operational capabilities and allow the Navy to evaluate crew rotation and maintenance plans. Fast, agile, and mission-focused, LCS platforms are designed to employ modular mission packages that can be configured for three separate purposes: surface warfare, mine countermeasures, or anti-submarine warfare.
"One of the things we're working on is communicating what we can and can't do with this ship," said Wilke in remarks quoted in the news release. "We need to figure out how to best employ littoral combat ships in our Navy and figure out how we can best use them when working with partner nations."
During this first deployment of the Navy's first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom will demonstrate her operational capabilities and allow the Navy to evaluate crew rotation and maintenance plans. Fast, agile, and mission-focused, LCS platforms are designed to employ modular mission packages that can be configured for three separate purposes: surface warfare, mine countermeasures, or anti-submarine warfare.
"One of the things we're working on is communicating what we can and can't do with this ship," said Wilke in remarks quoted in the news release. "We need to figure out how to best employ littoral combat ships in our Navy and figure out how we can best use them when working with partner nations."
Following initial port visits in Hawaii and Guam, Freedom is expected to participate in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) in Singapore and in select phases of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series in Southeast Asia.
U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Cecil Haney, was also commented on Freedom's deployment: "Freedom's maiden deployment is another clear signal of the Navy's enduring commitment to maintain security and stability in the vital Asia-Pacific region," said Haney. "Rotationally deploying our new littoral combat ships improves our warfighting capability and directly supports the Navy's rebalance strategy to the Asia-Pacific."
Freedom's "Gold" crew of 91 sailors include mission package personnel and an aviation detachment to operate an embarked MH-60 helicopter. Midway through Freedom's deployment, a crew swap will be conducted with her "Blue" crew, commanded by Commander. Patrick C. Thien.
Freedom will remain homeported in San Diego throughout this rotational deployment to Southeast Asia. Freedom's Facebook page has seven photos posted of underway operations after departing San Diego.
U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Cecil Haney, was also commented on Freedom's deployment: "Freedom's maiden deployment is another clear signal of the Navy's enduring commitment to maintain security and stability in the vital Asia-Pacific region," said Haney. "Rotationally deploying our new littoral combat ships improves our warfighting capability and directly supports the Navy's rebalance strategy to the Asia-Pacific."
Freedom's "Gold" crew of 91 sailors include mission package personnel and an aviation detachment to operate an embarked MH-60 helicopter. Midway through Freedom's deployment, a crew swap will be conducted with her "Blue" crew, commanded by Commander. Patrick C. Thien.
Freedom will remain homeported in San Diego throughout this rotational deployment to Southeast Asia. Freedom's Facebook page has seven photos posted of underway operations after departing San Diego.
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