US Navy vessel docks in Singapore
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The United States Navy's first littoral combat ship USS Freedom arrived in Singapore yesterday morning, to start its eight-month deployment in Southeast Asia. US Ambassador David Adelman and Singapore Navy's fleet commander Timothy Lo were at hand to welc
The warship with its 91 crew members arrived at Changi Naval Base after leaving San Diego on March 1. Also embarked on the 115-metre-long vessel is the MH-60 Seahawk naval helicopter.
“Freedom has met every milestone of this deployment on time and with the professionalism you would expect of US Navy Sailors,” said Commander Timothy Wilke. “I’m proud of Freedom’s accomplishments to date, but I’m also looking forward to putting the ship through its paces over the next several months.”
USS Freedom’s arrival in Singapore comes two years after the two countries announced the deployment at the Shangri-La Dialogue in the island state. Up to four littoral combat ships can be deployed in Singapore.
While in Singapore, the ship will refuel and restock before heading out to sea for training. Comprehensive maintenance checks will also be done after Freedom’s longest period out at sea since it was commissioned in 2008.
Next month, Freedom will participate in the upcoming International Maritime Defence Exhibition (Imdex) in Singapore.
