USS WICHITA DEPLOYS TO SUPPORT REGIONAL COOPERATION AND SECURITY

Photo By Lt. Anthony Junco | NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. - (March. 30, 2022) – The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) departs Naval Station Mayport, Florida for the ship’s second deployment, March. 30th, 2022. During the deployment to the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility, Wichita, with embarked helicopter and USCG law enforcement detachment, will support Joint Interagency Task Force South's mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Anthony Junco/Released)  

MAYPORT, FL, UNITED STATES

03.30.2022

Story by Lt. Anthony Junco 

Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron TWO

ATLANTIC OCEAN, (March 30, 2022) – The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13), along with the “Brick Bandits” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, detachment 6, is underway March 30 to support operations in U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

Wichita will support counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Wichita’s operations will involve practical exercises and exchanges with partner nations, supporting U.S. 4th Fleet interoperability and reinforcing the U.S. position as the regional partner of choice.

“We look forward to achieving great success for U.S. Southern Command and Fourth Fleet," said Cmdr. Daniel Reiher, commanding officer of USS Wichita.

The deployment of an LCS to the region aims to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to regional cooperation and security. The LCS’s shallow draft provides unparalleled opportunities for port access, making the ship an ideal vessel for these types of engagements.

Wichita will initially be manned by its crew of more than 100 Sailors, including mine warfare mission-package personnel; a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment; and an aviation detachment, who will operate an embarked MH-60 helicopter and MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff/Unmanned Vehicles.

“Having to shift from a training ship mindset to a deployment mindset was a smooth transition,” said Command Senior Chief Daniel Gwilt. “In true WuShock spirit, the crew met the challenge head on and is ready to answer the call.”

USS Wichita is attached to U.S. 2nd Fleet and is one of two deployable littoral combat ships under Mine Division Two Two.

LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. It is capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.

• Date Taken: 03.30.2022
• Date Posted: 03.31.2022 13:03
• Story ID: 417563
• Location: MAYPORT, FL, US