Together with the “Valkyries” of Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 8 and embarked U.S. Coast Guard Legislation Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 403 Billings will help Joint Interagency Process Pressure South’s mission, which incorporates counter-illicit drug trafficking missions within the Caribbean Sea and Jap Pacific Ocean.
Operations will even embrace bilateral workouts and exchanges with accomplice nations, demonstrating interoperability, and reinforcing the U.S. because the trusted maritime accomplice within the area.
Billings, manned by the ship’s Blue Crew, deployed from Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Dec. 15, 2021 to U.S. 4th Fleet. After finishing a four-month patrol, the ship arrived in Ponce on April 12 to conduct a deliberate upkeep availability (PMAV), steady upkeep availability (CMAV), and crew swap.
Gold Crew arrived on the ship April 17, and started working with Blue Crew to finish operational and upkeep checks, inspections, and preparations to take cost of the hull.
The Gold Crew formally took over the hull on April 22 to finish the CMAV and conduct preparations to take the ship again to sea. This marks the primary East Coast Freedom-variant LCS to show over the hull outdoors the continental U.S. (OCONUS).
“Gold Crew is worked up and able to be again at sea,” stated Cmdr. Brett Seeley, commanding officer of Billings. “The Blue Crew accomplished their maiden deployment and handed over the keys to our “household” automobile thus setting the stage for us to proceed the great work they’ve been doing down within the U.S. Southern Command space of accountability. We look ahead to the chance to proceed to construct partnerships, and help no matter mission we’re known as upon to do.
” Manned by over 100 Sailors, the Gold Crew will include a floor warfare mission-package gear load out, a U.S. Coast Guard legislation enforcement detachment (LEDET), and an aviation detachment, who will function the embarked MH-60S helicopter and MQ-8B Fireplace Scout Unmanned Aerial Car.
Deploying a LCS to the area goals to display the U.S. dedication to worldwide cooperation and regional safety. The ship’s measurement, velocity, and agility make LCS perfect for narcotics interdictions, accomplice engagements and port entry.
USS Billings (LCS 15) is operationally assigned to U.S. 4th Fleet and one in all three littoral fight ships beneath Mine Division 22.
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet helps U.S. Southern Command’s joint and mixed navy operations by using maritime forces in cooperative maritime safety operations to take care of entry, improve interoperability, and construct enduring partnerships as a way to improve regional safety and promote peace, stability and prosperity within the Caribbean, Central and South American area.
