SAN DIEGO (Mar. 05, 2026) — Cmdr. Megan Ricker, commanding officer, Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Manchester (LCS 14), renders a salute as she is piped ashore during her Change of Command ceremony aboard the USS Midway Museum, Mar. 5, 2026. aboard the USS Midway Museum, San Diego, California, Mar. 5, 2026. Homeported at Naval Base San Diego (NBSD), Manchester is a fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. Established in 1922, NBSD is the largest West coast naval installation and principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, supporting more than 60 combatant and auxiliary surface ships and more than 250 shore commands. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nettie Mae Manfull)
SAN DIEGO (Mar. 05, 2026) — Cmdr. Megan Ricker, commanding officer, Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Manchester (LCS 14), renders a salute as she is piped ashore during her Change of Command ceremony aboard the USS Midway Museum, Mar. 5, 2026. aboard the USS Midway Museum, San Diego, California, Mar. 5, 2026. Homeported at Naval Base San Diego (NBSD), Manchester is a fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. Established in 1922, NBSD is the largest West coast naval installation and principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, supporting more than 60 combatant and auxiliary surface ships and more than 250 shore commands. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nettie Mae Manfull)
NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO (March 4, 2026) — Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20) returned to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego after eight months of sustained operations in the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations. Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century threats. LCSs integrate with joint, combined, manned, and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe. (U.S. Navy video by Lt. Drew Verbis)
SAN DIEGO – Cmdr. Shawn Callihan was relieved by Cmdr. Megan Ricker as commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Manchester (LCS 14) during a change of command ceremony held onboard the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, March 5. Capt. James H. Hoey, commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, was the presiding officer and guest speaker at the ceremony.
During Callihan’s time in command, Manchester merged into one single crew and successfully completed a 10-month maintenance availability after returning from a deployment to the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations.
“You have shown great care in the crew of Manchester, leading your team throughout a 10-month major maintenance availability where...
03.05.2026 | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
Story by Lt. Brinn Hefron
