LCS 1 arrives in Hampton Roads

[unhappycamper]

Freedom, the first littoral combat ship, arrives at the pier in Norfolk, Va., after a one-day trip from Annapolis, but more than a month after being commissioned in Milwaukee on Nov. 8. The new ship will undergo a yard period here, then go through sea trials and other testing until early 2010 when it leaves for its homeport in San Diego.


LCS 1 arrives in Hampton Roads
By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Dec 15, 2008 19:29:35 EST

NORFOLK, Va. — Freedom, the Navy’s first littoral combat ship, arrived here today for a stay in Hampton Roads that will last until early 2010, when it departs for its homeport in San Diego.

Freedom arrived at 4 p.m. after an eight-hour transit from Annapolis, Md. The ship was commissioned in Milwaukee on Nov. 8 and spent the past month steaming here, with stops in Cleveland; Buffalo, N.Y.; Montreal; Quebec City; Halifax; Nova Scotia; and Boston.

After a yard period beginning in January and ending in March, Freedom will operate out of Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, testing its weapons and putting the ship through its paces, according to Cmdr. Kristy Doyle, executive officer of the Blue crew.

She said the Blue and Gold crews will take turns spending four months “on hull,” treating that time like a deployment. Her crew swaps with Gold in March and returns to San Diego for training and time with families.

In addition to its 45-knot speed and 14-foot draft, the 379-foot, the 3,089-ton Freedom is also remarkable for its small crew.


Rest of article about this $600,000,000 wonder at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/12/navy_LCS_121508w/%2e