Posted on 02/01/2010 4:49:54 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
USS Freedom (LCS 1), the Navy's first littoral combat ship (LCS), arrived at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., Jan. 26 to begin final preparations for her maiden deployment.
While in Mayport, Freedom will undergo final counterillicit trafficking and airborne use of force training and certification in preparation for expected missions in the U.S. Southern Command/Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
Readying for this deployment was a unique process for Freedom's Sailors. Starting in November 2009, Freedom engaged in independent training and certification exercises off the Virginia and Florida coasts, including maritime security surge training for both the Blue and Gold Crews.
After completing a Continuous Maintenance Availability at Colonna's Shipyard in Norfolk, Va., in mid-January 2010, Freedom got underway again for sea trials to verify the integration of the Surface Warfare Mission Package and aviation detachment with the core crew. Upon completion of a successful set of trials and onload of deployment ammunition, Freedom sailed south to Mayport to complete the final certification process and prepare for the mid-February 2010 deployment.
"This deployment comes a full two years ahead of schedule," said Cmdr. Randy Garner, commanding officer of Freedom's Gold Crew. "We are ready and eager to get to sea, head south and show what Freedom and her crew are capable of doing."
Freedom's deployment will be the first for the revolutionary LCS program, whose ships are designed to handle mission sets that do not require the full breadth and depth of capabilities of a traditional surface combatant.
(Excerpt) Read more at globalsecurity.org ...
No pic?
Thanx, son of -
the diesels are Italian made - I know someone (ahem) who over saw their installation and operation - followed the bloody thing around from WI then walked into work a week before Thanksgiving and was “restructured” out of their job - love those Italians!
Hope they lose the World Cup!!!!!!
Looks like it’s built to go down the corn rows.
I have seen some operational sea trials photos of the LCS-2 and it is a real Corvette on water with the punch to go with the speed. The innovative tri-hull design allows the new bow design to leave no bow wake and the propulsion is all jet drive.
Water version of a big wheel. Guess that makes it a water wheel.
LOL. You said corvette on water.
A corvette is a type of ship
That is why I spelled my inferrence with a capital C in referencing the sports car.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.