The Freedom-variant littoral fight ship USS Wichita (LCS 13), together with the “Brick Bandits” of Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 28, detachment 6, is underway March 30 to help operations in U.S. Southern Command space of accountability. Wichita will help counter-narcotics operations within the Caribbean and Japanese Pacific. Wichita’s operations will contain sensible workout routines and exchanges with companion nations, supporting U.S. 4th Fleet interoperability and reinforcing the U.S. place because the regional companion of alternative.

“We look ahead to attaining nice success for U.S. Southern Command and Fourth Fleet,” stated Cmdr. Daniel Reiher, commanding officer of USS Wichita.

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“Having to shift from a coaching ship mindset to a deployment mindset was a clean transition,” stated Command Senior Chief Daniel Gwilt. “In true WuShock spirit, the crew met the problem head on and is able to reply the decision.”

The deployment of an LCS to the area goals to reveal the U.S. dedication to regional cooperation and safety. The LCS’s shallow draft gives unparalleled alternatives for port entry, making the ship a super vessel for these kind of engagements. Wichita will initially be manned by its crew of greater than 100 Sailors, together with mine warfare mission-package personnel; a U.S. Coast Guard legislation enforcement detachment; and an aviation detachment, who will function an embarked MH-60 helicopter and MQ-8B Hearth Scout Vertical Takeoff/Unmanned Automobiles.

USS Wichita is hooked up to U.S. 2nd Fleet and is considered one of two deployable littoral fight ships beneath Mine Division Two Two. USS Wichita (LCS-13) is a Freedom-class littoral fight ship of the USA Navy, the third ship named after Wichita, the biggest metropolis in Kansas. Wichita is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet of operations to help Joint Interagency Activity Drive South’s mission, which embrace counter illicit drug trafficking within the Caribbean and Japanese Pacific.

The Freedom-variant littoral fight ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) departs Naval Station Mayport, Florida for the ship’s second deployment, March. thirtieth, 2022. In the course of the deployment to the U.S. Southern Command’s space of accountability, Wichita, with embarked helicopter and USCG legislation enforcement detachment, will help Joint Interagency Activity Drive South’s mission, which incorporates counter-illicit drug trafficking within the Caribbean and Japanese Pacific. (U.S. Navy picture by Lt. Anthony Junco/Launched)