The USS Independence arrived today at its homeport of Naval Base San Diego. The littoral combat ship spent two years training off the coast of Florida before beginning its 23-day maiden voyage from Mayport, Florida to San Diego.
Cmdr. Gerald R. Olin, commanding officer of Independence's Gold Crew, said at the arrival:
"It's an honor to be the first-in-class to sail to our homeport of San Diego. The crew and mine countermeasures detachment have worked hard, adapted to challenges and persevered through months away from home to get to this point. I'm proud to be with them on the pier today."
En route to San Diego, the USS Independence transited through the Panama Canal. The ship also conducted operations with the Mexican Navy.
According to the Navy, the Independence is part of a class of ship that has many unique capabilities:
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.
Welcome home!
