The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) returned to Singapore April 15 after a two-month stint operating in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia.
Singapore is the maintenance and logistics hub for rotationally deployed LCSs and Fort Worth returned to port to conduct a planned maintenance availability.
Since departing Singapore in February after the first of three crew swaps, Fort Worth has completed two of her deployment milestones, which included participation in exercise Foal Eagle 2015 with the Republic of Korea Navy and a routine planned maintenance availability in Sasebo, Japan. Both events underscore Fort Worth’s growing operational reach throughout U.S. 7th Fleet.
Prior to returning to Singapore, Fort Worth participated in Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) Vietnam with the Vietnam People’s Navy April 6-10, as both nations celebrated the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2015. During the five-day engagement, subject-matter expert exchanges focused on maritime domain awareness, shipboard damage control, submarine rescue, band concerts, community service events, and team sports. A brief at-sea phase allowed ships from both navies to practice the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) and ship handling.
Fort Worth will depart Singapore again after her maintenance period and return for the International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) 2015 just ahead of the next crew swap in late May.
Throughout the summer and fall, Fort Worth will take part in most of the 2015 Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series.
[mappress mapid=”15673″]
Image: US Navy