Independence Departs for Homeport of San Diego

MAYPORT, Fla.. (NNS) -- Littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) departed
Naval Station Mayport April 9, embarking on the ship's maiden voyage to its homeport of San Diego.

The transit, led by the ship's Gold Crew, marks the successful completion of testing the ability of the ship's mine countermeasures (MCM) mission package to detect, localize, and destroy mines in a tactical environment.

Sailors from Independence and embarked MCM Detachment 1 conducted operations off the coast of Florida, training with organic assets including the remote minehunting vehicle (RMV) and MH-60S helicopters especially configured to tow the Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS).

"We are excited about the success demonstrated during our recent MCM developmental testing, bringing us one step closer to operational integration with the fleet," said Cmdr. Gerald R. Olin, commanding officer of Independence's Gold Crew. "The crew is looking forward to the Panama Canal transit, a well-deserved port visit en route, and to bringing the ship to its homeport of San Diego for the first time. Independence is an exciting ship, and we can't wait to show it to our friends and family on the West Coast."

Upon arrival in San Diego, Gold Crew will begin the process of turnover with the ship's Blue Crew, including a custody inspection of parts and an exchange of command.

"We've worked hard to get the ship ready for this underway, and it's paid off," said Electronics Technician 1st Class Michael Neville, who has been stationed aboard Independence since 2009. "It's a great feeling to be headed home."

LCS is a fast, agile, networked surface combatant designed to operate in the near-shore environment, while capable of open-ocean tasking, and win against 21st-century coastal threats such as submarines, mines, and swarming small craft. LCS' modular, focused-mission design provides combatant commanders the required warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility to ensure maritime dominance and access for the joint force.

Independence Begins Maiden Voyage

MOBILE, Ala. (NNS) -- The Navy's newest littoral combat ship, USS Independence (LCS 2), sailed away from Mobile, Ala. for the first time March 26.

The milestone marks the commencement of initial testing and evaluation of the aluminum vessel.

"We are excited to set sail, and remain grateful for the incredible support offered by the city of Mobile in helping us reach this milestone," said Cmdr. Curt Renshaw, Independence Blue Crew commanding officer. "This transit will allow us to gain valuable operational experience and is another large step toward bringing our unique and versatile capabilities to the fleet."

Independence's maiden voyage will include stops in Key West and Mayport, Fla., before pulling into Naval Station Norfolk, Va. for additional testing and specialized crew training.

"This is an exciting time for all of us," said Fire Controlman 1st Class Jeffry Gibson. "To be a part of bringing the Navy's newest, most advanced ship to the Fleet is something we all take a great deal of pride in."

The littoral combat ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, mission-focused ship that demonstrates the latest in naval technology. The ship is specifically designed to defeat "anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal water regions, including surface craft, diesel submarines and mines. LCS features an interchangeable modular design that allows the ship to be reconfigured to meet mission requirements.

Independence, the Navy's second LCS ship and the first Independence Class LCS, was commissioned Jan. 16 in Mobile, Ala. It spans 419 feet, has a displacement of 2,800 metric tons and can operate in water less than 20 feet deep. Propelled by four water jets, along with two diesel and two gas turbine engines, Independence is capable of speeds in excess of 45 knots and boasts a range of over 3,500 nautical miles.

Independence will be homeported in San Diego.

USS Independence Commissioned

MOBILE, Ala. (NNS) -- Nearly 500 guests braved the rain today in Mobile, Ala., to attend the commissioning of USS Independence (LCS 2).

Independence joins USS Freedom (LCS 1) in the revolutionary Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class, already making its mark on the fleet.

"LCS will have the capability...to secure the littoral regions upon which communities rely on for food, transportation and for their well-being," said Adm. Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, "and to protect critical chokepoints in the global supply chain, to launch unmanned air, underwater and surface vehicles that will keep our trade at sea and our men and women ashore safe from harm."

LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused ship that demonstrates the latest in naval warfighting technology. The ship is specifically designed to defeat "anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal water regions, including fast surface craft, quiet diesel submarines, and mines. To meet the combatant commander's increased demand for mission-tailored forces packages, LCS features an interchangeable modular design that allows the ship to be reconfigured to meet mission requirements.

"LCS is the future of our surface Navy," said Vice Adm. D.C. Curtis, Commander, Naval Surface Forces. "This program will complement the strengths of larger warships. LCS will be a deterrent of green and brown water threats; the flexibility, versatility, and smart design of Independence make it well suited for joint operations."

Independence is a 419-foot aluminum trimaran, the first of its design in the surface fleet. It has a displacement of 2,800 metric tons, is capable of speeds in excess of 45 knots, and can operate in water less than 20 feet deep. Propelled by four water jets in addition to two diesel and two gas turbine engines, the ship boasts a range of over 3,500 nautical miles.

Independence was christened by Mrs. Doreen Scott, wife of the 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Terry Scott, in a ceremony in Mobile, Ala. on Oct. 4, 2008. The ship completed builder's sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico, and was delivered to the Navy on Dec. 18, 2009.

"The crews are immensely excited to reach commissioning," said Cmdr. Curt Renshaw, commanding officer, Blue Crew. "They have been waiting and preparing a long time to do what they are doing today."

"We are also excited to have the people who built the ship be a part of the ceremony against the great backdrop of a supportive city," said Cmdr. Michael Riley, commanding officer, Gold Crew. "We are extremely pleased to celebrate this occasion in Mobile."

The Sailors who brought the ship to life today are part of an innovative manning reconstruct that reduces crew size, demanding each Sailor maintain high levels of proficiency in multiple fields, and optimizes ship operability with multiple crews. Independence is manned by two rotational crews, "blue" and "gold," of 40 Sailors each. These crews are further augmented by detachment specialists for each of the mission modules.

"It was a pretty special honor to be named as the first boatswain's mate of the watch," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Katrina Williams. "I will be the first watch on the USS Independence, and I was chosen by my superiors, that means a lot to me. "

"This is a chance for my parents and my fiancée's parents to come and see what I'm doing, where I live, the jobs I will be doing and most important, where I will be working," said Engineman 1st Class (SW) Benjamin Standon, who welcomed 15 members of his family to the audience.

The rotational crew model is already proving effective aboard USS Freedom (LCS 1), Independence's predecessor in the LCS class. Freedom is currently readying for her maiden deployment, accelerated approximately two years. The Navy expects to learn key operational lessons about Freedom in a deployment setting, and to integrate those lessons into the larger LCS fleet, projected to eventually reach 55 ships.

Independence will conduct further testing and evaluation before eventually heading toward its homeport in San Diego.

Revolutionary Ship Readies for Commissioning

By Lt.j.g. Jan Bowers, Naval Surface Forces Public Affairs

MOBILE, Ala. (NNS) -- Pre-Commissioning Unit Independence (LCS 2) will be commissioned Jan. 16.

Advanced technology, unique manning, and a very recognizable tri-hull – at first glance, nearly everything about Independence's steep angles, high bridge, and aluminum construction appears to be the first of its kind. That impression continues inside, where a spacious mission module bay is reached by stairs instead of shin-banging ladders, and down below, where four water jets compliment two diesel and two gas turbine engines.

LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused ship that demonstrates the latest in naval warfighting technology. The ship is specifically designed to defeat "anti-access" threats in shallow, coastal water regions, including fast surface craft, quiet diesel submarines, and mines. To meet the combatant commander's increased demand for mission-tailored forces packages, LCS features an interchangeable modular design that allows the ship to be reconfigured to meet mission requirements.

"The ship is large enough and flexible enough to hold just about anything you could think of in terms of coastal and littoral warfare," said Cmdr. Michael Riley, commanding officer, Gold Crew. "If you build modules we could carry them. That's one of the true unique things about Independence. I think we are going to expand way beyond the initial three mission sets the ship was designed to do, and of course do those extremely well."

The Sailors who will bring the ship to life on Jan. 16 are part of an innovative manning reconstruct that reduces crew size, demanding each Sailor maintain high levels of proficiency in multiple fields, and optimizes ship operability with multiple crews. Independence is manned by two rotational crews, "blue" and "gold," of 40 Sailors each. These crews are further augmented by detachment specialists for each of the mission modules.

"We ask every one of our Sailors to be on their game all the time, and in terms of manpower provide a great product," said Cmdr. Curt Renshaw, commanding officer, Blue Crew. "That team has come together, and with this great product and this great ship, we will be ready to take her and do the nation's tasking, hopefully sooner rather than later."

"Both LCS 1 and LCS 2 were designed to meet the same requirements with reduced manning," said Rear Adm. Jim Murdoch, LCS program manager. "In the last several years, we have conducted a great deal of assessment to be sure we implement this shift without any loss of efficiency or increase in vulnerability. Manning of the ship is centered around the question of whether you have enough people to fight it."

"On other ships, Sailors from every department help in the kitchen, and the cooks do just that – they cook," said Renshaw. "On LCS, we have three cooks who can also shoot a gun, fight a fire, manage systems, and stand anti-terrorism watches. Our Sailors have a lot of skills."

"My best machine-gunner is a culinary specialist; my best emergency medical technician is an electronics technician," Riley said. "We've really brought out the best in the Sailors we have on board."

The rotational crew model is already proving effective aboard USS Freedom (LCS 1), Independence's predecessor in the LCS class. Freedom is currently readying for her maiden deployment, accelerated approximately two years. The Navy expects to learn key operational lessons about Freedom in a deployment setting, and to integrate those lessons into the larger LCS fleet, projected to eventually reach 55 ships.

While Freedom prepares for early deployment, Independence looks forward to commissioning. The decision to commission the ship in Mobile, Ala., where construction began nearly four years ago, is testament to the incredible support the community has lent the Navy.

"By commissioning in Mobile, we are also fortunate to have many of the required resources in place to allow for detailed and efficient planning for this exciting occasion," said Renshaw.

"The city of Mobile has really made us feel welcome," Riley said. "I want to extend my gratitude for everything they have been doing and continue to do for us."

Following commissioning, Independence will conduct further testing and evaluation before eventually heading toward its homeport in San Diego.

Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Independence

The littoral combat ship Independence (LCS 2) underway during builder's trials. Builder's trials are the first opportunity for the shipbuilder and the U.S. Navy to operate the ship underway, and provide an opportunity to test and correct issues before acceptance trials. (Photo courtesy Dennis Griggs General Dynamics/Released)

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy officially accepted delivery of the future USS Independence (LCS 2) Dec. 18 during a short ceremony in Mobile, Ala. Independence is the second littoral combat ship delivered to the Navy, and the first LCS of the General Dynamics variant. LCS is a new breed of U.S. Navy warship with versatile warfighting capabilities, capable of open-ocean operation, but optimized for littoral, or coastal, missions.

"Today marks a critical milestone in the life of the LCS 2," said Rear Adm. James Murdoch, the LCS program manager in the Navy's Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "The Navy and our industry partners have worked diligently to deliver a much-needed capability."

Prior to delivery, the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) conducted Acceptance Trials aboard LCS 2 on Nov. 13-19, and found the ship's propulsion plant, sea-keeping and self-defense performance to be "commendable," and recommended that the chief of naval operations authorize delivery of the ship following the correction or waiver of cited material deficiencies.

Between now and sail away in February 2010, the contractor will correct most of the trial cards received during trials. Any remaining cards will be corrected during scheduled post-delivery maintenance availabilities including the post-shakedown availability scheduled for completion in 2011.

Delivery is the last shipbuilding milestone before commissioning, scheduled for Jan. 16 in Mobile, Ala.

The LCS class is designed from the keel up to deliver efficient capability, capacity, and flexibility to the warfighter. Independence, a high-speed aluminum trimaran, is designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The 417-foot Independence will be outfitted with reconfigurable payloads, called mission packages, which can be changed out quickly. These mission packages focus on three mission areas: mine counter measures, surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare.

PEO Ships is responsible for the development and acquisition of U.S. Navy surface ships and has delivered eight major surface ships to the fleet since the beginning of 2009. PEO Ships is working in conjunction with its industry partners to achieve steady production for all programs to increase production efficiencies and leverage cost savings. Delivering high-quality war fighting assets ¯ while balancing affordability and capability ¯ is key to supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy and building the Navy's 313-ship force structure. PEO Ships is committed to delivering quality ships at an affordable price.

LCS 2 Completes Acceptance Trials

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The future USS Independence (LCS 2) successfully completed acceptance trials this week, after completing a series of graded in-port and underway demonstrations for the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV).

Acceptance Trials are the first opportunity for INSURV to test the ship and its systems.

During two days underway, the ship completed demonstrations of the combat systems suite, steering, anchoring and propulsion. The ship achieved a top speed of almost 45 knots during the full power demonstration.

"Independence performed extremely well during trials," said Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program Manager Rear Adm. James Murdoch. "LCS 2 conducted two outstanding days at sea. We look forward to delivering this critical asset to the fleet."

The ship was presented to INSURV with high levels of completion in production and test. The official results of the trials, including the type and number of trial cards, are currently being reviewed by the Navy.

Members of the LCS 2 pre-commissioning unit were on board Independence during trials to see how their future ship will perform.

"It's going to change the way we do things, particularly in the surface force," said Cmdr. Curt Renshaw, Independence Blue Crew commanding officer. "This ship allows us the flexibility to complement almost all the pillars of the Maritime Strategy."

"This is a significant milestone for the surface warfare community and the Navy at large - the impact that Freedom and Independence will have on the fleet will be immediate. We are another step closer to having this important capability as part of the surface force, and I applaud the team effort - Sailor, civilian and contractor - that went into making this happen," said Vice Adm. D.C. Curtis, commander, Naval Surface Forces.

Acceptance trials are the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship to the Navy. Ship delivery is expected to occur next month, with the ship's commissioning Jan. 16 in Mobile, Ala.

PCU Independence LCS-2 Conducting Gulf of Mexico Sea Trials

Here is a heads up for my radio friends down in Mobile AL.

The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Independence (LCS 2), the U. S. Navy's first trimaran littoral combat ship, departs Mobile, Ala. to begin builder's sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico July 2, 2009. LCS is a fast, agile, focused-mission ship designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The 417-foot Independence is designed and built by the General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship team. Builder's trials test the vessel's propulsion, communications, navigation and core mission systems, as well as all related support systems. Following the completion of builder's trials, Independence will prepare for acceptance trials that will be conducted by the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey later this summer. Independence will be outfitted with reconfigurable payloads, called mission packages, which can be changed out quickly. These mission packages focus on three mission areas: mine counter measures, surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. Independence is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy later this year and will be home ported in San Diego, Calif. (Photo courtesy of General Dynamics/Released)