SINGAPORE - USS Freedom (LCS 1) made its debut in Singapore May 14-19, participating in an international trade show and a maritime exercise with regional navies. Freedom also hosted thousands of visitors, from Singaporean citizens to senior government and military officials, during a series of ship tours.
The week began with a visit May 14 from the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Jonathan Greenert. Greenert, the 30th CNO, emphasized his support for the LCS platform, and spoke to media and the Freedom crew about the positive impact of the ship's maiden deployment. "We had to get the littoral combat ship out here, and figure out what it's made of," said Greenert. "You guys are setting the pace for the future, and let me tell you, you all did a magnificent job. So don't underestimate what you do during this deployment and during the crew swap."
Freedom also hosted more than a dozen foreign delegations and hundreds of sailors from foreign warships in port for Singapore's International Maritime Defense Expedition and Conference (IMDEX). On May 14, Singapore Minister of Defense Ng Eng Hen toured Freedom as well as other ships on the waterfront. On May 15, Freedom held a reception on board for more than 200 guests, including Singapore's chief of Navy and several representatives of other international navies.
Freedom participated in the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) Western Pacific Multilateral Sea Exercise (WMSX). Getting underway as the Surface Action Group commander for Singaporean, Indian, and Indonesian ships, Freedom provided command and control during a simulated small boat threat; a search-and-rescue exercise; and a visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) scenario.
Fast, agile, and mission-focused, LCS platforms are designed to operate in near-shore environments and employ modular mission packages that can be configured for three purposes: surface warfare, mine countermeasures, or anti-submarine warfare. The Gold crew of 91 sailors includes mission package personnel and an aviation detachment to operate an embarked MH-60 helicopter on Freedom.
Freedom will remain homeported in San Diego throughout this rotational deployment to Southeast Asia. Midway through Freedom's deployment, a crew swap will be conducted with the Blue crew.
