US Navy commissions last Freedom-variant LCS USS Cleveland

May 18, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The US Navy has commissioned its newest and last Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Cleveland (LCS 31) in Cleveland.

USS Cleveland (LCS 31) was built by Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. Following the commissioning ceremony, which took place on May 16, the ship will transit to its assigned homeport at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

LCS 31 is the 16th and final Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) to be built and commissioned in the US Navy.

Cleveland’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Bruce Hallett, emphasized the significance of the crew’s role in shaping the ship’s legacy as it enters service.

“You are not simply serving aboard this ship. You are writing the first chapter of her history. You are forging a legacy that will endure long after all of us have left these decks,” said Hallett.

LCS 31 is the fourth ship to be named in honor of the city of Cleveland. The first was a cruiser (C-19) commissioned in 1903 that served during World War I.

The second was the lead ship of her class of light cruisers, USS Cleveland (CL-55), which earned 13 battle stars for its service during World War II. The third was the Austin-class amphibious transport dock, USS Cleveland (LPD 7), which served from 1967 to 2011, providing critical support during the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Shield/Storm, and various humanitarian missions.

To remind, the navy took delivery of the vessel in November last year.

US Navy takes delivery of final Freedom-variant LCS

Vessels

LCSs are fast, agile, mission-focused warships designed to operate in near-shore environments They are a class of small surface combatants equipped to defeat challenges in the world’s littorals.

LCS platforms can operate independently or in high-threat scenarios as part of a networked battle force that includes larger, multi-mission surface combatants such as cruisers and destroyers.

The commissioning of USS Cleveland underscores the navy’s commitment to building America’s Fleet of the Future.