The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) breaks away from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) after a refueling at sea. Freedom is conducting counter-illicit trafficking operations and Carl Vinson is supporting Southern Seas 2010. Southern Seas is a U.S. Southern Command-directed operation that provides U.S. and international forces the opportunity to operate in a multi-national environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ashley Van Dien/Released)
By Mass Communication 2nd Class Adrian White, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Public Affairs
CARL VINSON, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Freedom (LCS 1) completed a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) April 7, Vinson's first day in the 3rd Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR).
During the RAS, Carl Vinson transferred 57,000 gallons of fuel to the Freedom, the first warship of its kind.
Carl Vinson's Quartermaster Seaman Erich Hoffman said completing the RAS with Freedom was different from all the other RASs the ship has completed during its current deployment.
"Freedom came in from the starboard quarter and they got real close, closer than any other ship has gotten before, because they're smaller and quicker," said Hoffman. "We shot the lines over, and before they got everything hooked up, it was over relatively quickly, which was nice."
Hoffman said during the navigational brief his team was told about Freedom's expert, yet small, crew.
"With other replenishments-at-sea, the respective ships had full-on deck departments. On Freedom they have a smaller number of Sailors who handle deck operations," said Hoffman.
"It's all upper echelon Sailors, mostly officers, chiefs, first classes and a few second classes. They have a bunch of professionals over there, a few guys who have been doing it for a while." said Lt. Paul Nickell, Carl Vinson's assistant navigator.
Nickell said Freedom's maneuverability and control is a lot different from what Carl Vinson has seen in the past.
"Their approach in was a lot faster," said Nickell. "The way their ship handled was a hundred times better than what we've seen with other ships. Not saying the other ships are less capable at ship handling, it's just this one maneuvers and responds instantaneously. Their speed control and heading control is amazing."
Freedom is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments, yet is capable of open-ocean travel at speeds greater than 40 knots.
"What we're seeing is the future of the Navy," said Nickell. "What we're seeing the entire Navy move to is a streamlined version of a combat ship. Freedom has a lot of different toys wrapped up into one ship. It's amazing how that ship is able to go out and do business with [only] 50 people."
Freedom, while in the 4th Fleet AOR, conducted counter-illicit trafficking patrols in the Caribbean Sea and off the coasts of Central and South America, intercepting more than five tons of cocaine and capturing 13 suspected drug smugglers.