Littoral Warfare Ship Photo Index

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By And/Or Copyright
1501001a	172k	27 May 2004: Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Navy announced today that Lockheed Martin Corporation - Maritime Systems & Sensors Division, Moorestown, N.J., will be one of two defense contracting teams awarded contract options for final system design with options for detail design and construction of up to two Flight 0 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The LCS is an entirely new breed of U.S. Navy warship. A fast, agile, and networked surface combatant, LCS's modular, focused-mission design will provide Combatant Commanders the required warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility to ensure maritime dominance and access for the joint force. LCS will operate with focused-mission packages that deploy manned and unmanned vehicles to execute missions including, Special Operations Forces (SOF) support, high-speed transit, Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP). (Artist concept provided to the U.S. Navy courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation, Photo #040527-O-0000L-003, from the Navy News Stand)	Mike Smolinski Clifton, N.J. Manager, Navsource DE / FF / LCS Archive
1501001b	365k	undated: Marinette, Wis. - An aerial view of Fincantieri Marinette Marine, which was founded in 1942 along the south bank of the Menominee River in Marinette, Wisconsin. The river forms the border between Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Originally built to meet America's growing demand for naval construction, today FMM is one of the premier builders of vessels for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. From humble beginnings with a contract to build five wooden barges, FMM has grown into a world-class shipbuilder, having designed and built more than 1,500 vessels. In conjunction with the Lockheed Martin Corp., all of the planned Freedom Class LCS's will be built here, beginning in 2005 with USS *Freedom* (LCS 1). (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin, Fincantiere Marinette Marine)
1515001	259k	02 September 2015: Billings, Mont. - Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus delivers remarks at a dual ship-naming ceremony for the Navy's newest Littoral Combat Ship, the future USS *Billings* (LCS 15) and future Virginia-class attack submarine, USS *Montana* (SSN 794), at Metra Park Rimrock Auto Arena. Mabus thanked the people of Montana for their support and contributions to the Navy and discussed the special bond that exists between a state and its namesake vessel. (U.S. Navy photo #150902-N-AC887-001 by MCC Sam Shavers, from the Navy Newstand)
1515002	259k	03 November 2015: Marinette, Wis. - A welder authenticates the keel by welding the initials of the ship's sponsor, Mrs. Sharla D. Tester, onto the keel plate of the U.S. Navy's fifteenth Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS *Billings* (LCS 15), in a ceremony held at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. The Keel Laying is the formal recognition of the start of the ship and module construction process. (U.S. Navy photo #151103-N-XX501-014 courtesy of Lockheed Martin, from the Navy Newstand)
1515003	217k	16 June 2017: Marinette, Wis. - The 15th littoral combat ship, the future USS *Billings* (LCS 15) is pictured next to the Menominee River ahead of its christening on 01 July 2017. Once commissioned, LCS-15 will be the first ship named *Billings* in naval service. (U.S. Navy photo #170616-N-N0101-320 courtesy of Lockheed Martin, from the Navy Newstand)	Ron Reeves
1515019	372k	01 July 2017: Marinette, Wis. – A beautiful morning sunrise over the Menominee River. PCU Billings (LCS 15) sits high in her launch cradle while PCU Little Rock (LCS 9) and PCU Wichita (LCS 13) sit peacefully at their fitting out piers. (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin, Fincantiere Marinette Marine)	Mike Smolinski Clifton, N.J. Manager, Navsource DE / FF / LCS Archive
1515001	467k	01 July 2017: Marinette, Wis. - The future USS *Billings* (LCS 15) is pictured sitting in the launch cradle next to the Menominee River on the morning of her launching. Already in the river, just ahead of the launch area is the future USS *Little Rock* (LCS 9). (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin, from the Navy Newstand)	Lee Wahler Lcdr., USN (ret.)
1515007	487k	01 July 2017: Marinette, Wis. - The future USS *Billings* (LCS 15) is pictured sitting in the launch cradle next to the Menominee River on the morning of her launching. Already in the river, just ahead of the launch area is the future USS *Little Rock* (LCS 9). (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin, Fincantiere Marinette Marine)	Mike Smolinski Clifton, N.J. Manager, Navsource DE / FF / LCS Archive
1515005	297k	01 July 2017: Marinette, Wis. - LCS-15's sponsor Sharla Tester, the wife of Montana Sen. Jon Tester, the ranking member of the Senate Veteran's Affairs Committee, christens the future USS *Billings. Once commissioned, LCS-15 will be the first ship of its name in naval service. (U.S. Navy photo* #170701-N-N0101-021 courtesy of Lockheed Martin, from the Navy Newstand)	Ron Reeves Oaklyn, N.J.
1515006	631k	01 July 2017: Marinette, Wis. - The U.S. Navy's future USS Billings (LCS 15) launches sideways into the Menominee River in Marinette, Wisconsin, following its christening by ship sponsor Sharla Tester. (U.S. Navy photo #170701-N-N0101-023 courtesy of Lockheed Martin, from the Navy Newstand)
533k 551k 453k 384k 06 December 2018: Marinette, Wis. - The future littoral combat ship USS *Billings* (LCS 15) conducts acceptance trials on Lake Michigan. *Billings* is the 17th littoral combat ship, an adaptable platform designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions. (U.S. Navy photo #181206-N-N0101-028, 181206-N-N0101-027, 181206-N-N0101-026, and 181206-N-N0101-025 by Lockheed Martin from the Navy News Stand) 1.) 1515008 2.) 1515009 3.) 1515010 4.) 1515011	Lee Wahler Lcdr., USN (ret.) Jacksonville, Fla.
1515012	460k	15 December 2018: Marinette, Wis. - An early morning view of the Marinette Marine shipyard from the Menominee River as the future littoral combat ships USS *Billings* (LCS 15), left, and USS *Indianapolis* (LCS 17) are moored in front of USS *St. Louis* (LCS 19), before *St. Louis' christening, 15 Dec. 2018. (U.S. Navy photo* #181215-N-N0101-113 courtesy of Lockheed Martin, from the Navy Newstand)	Mike Smolinski Clifton, N.J. Manager, Navsource DE / FF / LCS Archive
1515013	270k	27 March 2019: Marinette, Wis. - The sun rises behind the future USS *Billings* (LCS 15), left, and the future USS *Indianapolis* (LCS 17) at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. Later today the yard will hold a "Keel Laying and Authentication" ceremony for the future USS *Marinette* (LCS 25) (Photos courtesy of Lockheed Martin Team Freedom)
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1.) 376k 2.) 572k 3.) 360k 4.) 423k 5.) 320k 28 July 2019: Key West, Fla. - The future littoral combat ship USS *Billings* (LCS 15) arrives at Naval Air Station Key West's Truman Harbor in preparation for its commissioning ceremony on 03 August. Billings is the 17th littoral combat ship to enter the fleet and the eighth of the Freedom variant. It is the first ship named for Billings, the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana. Naval Air Station Key West is the state-of-the-art facility for combat fighter aircraft of all military services, provides world-class pierside support to U.S. and foreign naval vessels, and is the premier training center for surface and subsurface military operations. (U.S. Navy photo #190728-N-KM072-006, 190728-N-KM072-005, 190728-N-NJ416-018, 190728-N-KM072-002, and 190728-N-NJ416-176 by Danette Baso Silvers (1-3) and MC3 Arnesia McIntyre (4, 5) from the Navy News Stand) 1.) 1515015 2.) 1515016 3.) 1515017 4.) 1515018 5.) 1515019
1.) 328k 2.) 309k 3.) 1198k 4.) 128k 5.) 133k 6.) 176k 7.) 471k 8.) 330k 9.) 339k 10.) 323k Saturday, 03 August 2019: Key West, Fla. The Navy commissioned USS *Billings* (LCS 15) at a ceremony in Key West, Fla., over the weekend, adding the eighth Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship to fleet. *Billings, built by Lockheed Martin, is the Navy’s 17th LCS commissioned by the Navy, and the first Naval vessel named for Montana's largest city. However, Billings* ran into some difficulty arriving at its commissioning ceremony. In June, after leaving the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin, *Billings* collided with moored bulk carrier *Rosaire Desgagnes* in the St. Lawrence River near Montreal, Canada. *Billings* was steaming to its new homeport of Mayport, Fla. *Billings’ prospective CO Commander Michael Johnson was relieved of command following the incident, and Commander Nate Rowan, who had served as the commanding officer of USS Wichita* (LCS 13), took command of the newest LCS. “The USS *Billings* is a highly maneuverable, lethal, and adaptable force to be reckoned with,” Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said in a statement. “It’ll represent Montana and our nation proudly in the water by defending us around the world. At a time of new global threats and challenges, these naval capabilities provide critical support to our men and women in uniform who work to keep us safe.” Tester is the ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. His wife Sharla is Billings’ sponsor. During the commissioning ceremony, she welcomed the families of the ship’s crew to join her to give the traditional order: “Man our ship and bring her to life.” *Billings* will be homeported in Naval Station Mayport, Florida. 1.) The audience awaits the commissioning of USS *Billings, the 17th littoral combat ship to enter the fleet and eighth of the Freedom variant. ...........................................................190803-N-NJ416-473 2.) Naval Air Station Key West color guard parades the colors during the commissioning ceremony of USS Billings* (LCS 15). ........................................................................................190803-N-NJ416-377 3.) Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Research Development, and Acquisition, James Guerts, speaks during the commissioning ceremony. ....................................................................190803-N-RL695-1198 4.) U.S. senator of Montana, Jon Tester, speaks during the commissioning ceremony of USS *Billings. ..........................................................................................................................................190803-N-RL695-1214 5.) Adm. Craig S. Faller, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, speaks during the commissioning ceremony of USS Billings* (LCS 15). ......................................................................190803-N-RL695-1175 6.) Cmdr. Nathan Rowan, the commanding officer of USS *Billings, speaks during his ship's commissioning ceremony. ........................................................................................................190803-N-RL695-1270 7.) The crew of the Navy's newest littoral combat ship, USS Billings, prepares to bring the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony. .................................................................190803-N-NJ416-465 8.) The crew of the Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, USS Billings, brings the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony. ......................................................................................190803-N-RL695-1335 9.) The crew of the Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, USS Billings* (LCS 15), brings the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony. ..................................................................190803-N-RL695-1426 10.) Billings Mayor, Bill Cole, passes the long glass to Lt. Ashleigh Evans in tradition of setting the first watch during the commissioning of USS *Billings. ....................................190803-N-RL695-1283 (Photos by MC3 Arnesia McIntyre, courtesy of the* Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) 1.) 1515020 2.) 1515021 3.) 1515022 4.) 1515023 5.) 1515024 6.) 1515025 7.) 1515026 8.) 1515027 9.) 1515028 10.) 1515029
1.) 306k 2.) 482k 3.) 354k 4.) 312k 5.) 285k 30 August 2019: Mayport, Fla. - The Freedom-class variant littoral combat ship USS *Billings* (LCS 15) gets underway from Naval Station Mayport as Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet orders all U.S. Navy ships homeported in the area to sortie ahead of Hurricane Dorian, which is forecasted to bring high winds and heavy rain to the East Coast. Ships are being directed to areas in the Atlantic where they are best postured for storm avoidance. (U.S. Navy photo #190830-N-QI061-2139, 190830-N-QI061-2166, 190830-N-DA434-057, 190830-N-DA434-078, and 190830-N-QI061-2223 by MC3 Nathan T. Beard (1, 2, 5) and MC3 Alana Langdon (3, 4) from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) 1.) 1515030 2.) 1515031 3.) 1515032 4.) 1515033 5.) 1515034
1515035	354k	04 September 2019: Norfolk, Va. - The littoral combat ship USS *Billings* (LCS 15) gets underway as Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet orders U.S. Navy ships and aircraft in the area to sortie ahead of Hurricane Dorian, which is forecasted to bring high winds and heavy rain to the East Coast. Ships are being directed to areas in the Atlantic where they are best postured for storm avoidance. (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #190904-N-PW494-0076* by MC1 Joshua D. Sheppard from* the Defense Visual Info. Distribution Service)
1515036	500k	06 September 2019: New London, Conn. - Two views of the Littoral Combat Ship USS *Billings* (LCS 15) making her way up the Thames River and past the City of New London on her way to Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. *Billings* left her homeport of Naval Station Mayport in Florida on 30 August to avoid hurricane Dorian. She stopped briefly at Naval Station, Norfolk, Va. and continued north to Groton on 04 September. (U.S. Navy photos #190906-N-UM744-003, and 190906-N-UM744-004 by John Narewski, Submarine Readiness Squadron 32, from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)
1515037	364k
1515041	312k	26 September 2019: Jacksonville, Fla. - Military students of the Colombian Joint Staff College embark the Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS *Billings* (LCS 15). *Billings* is homeported at Naval Station Mayport. (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #190926-N-KK394-026* by MC2 Anderson W. Branch from* the Defense Visual Info. Distribution Service)
1.) 308k 2.) 357k 3.) 365k Wednesday, 04 March 2020: Mayport, Fla. The crew of Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS *Wichita* (LCS 13) installs a Yokohama mega fender, the world's largest floating pneumatic fender, to the ship's portside at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. *Wichita* and *Billings* are currently homeported at Naval Station Mayport . (U.S. Navy photo #200303-N-KK394-1009, 200304-N-KK394-1011, and 200304-N-KK394-1017 by MC2 Anderson W. Branch from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) 1.) 1515038 2.) 1515039 3.) 1515040

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1501001a

172k

27 May 2004: Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Navy announced today that Lockheed Martin Corporation - Maritime Systems & Sensors Division, Moorestown, N.J., will be one of two defense contracting teams awarded contract options for final system design with options for detail design and construction of up to two Flight 0 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The LCS is an entirely new breed of U.S. Navy warship. A fast, agile, and networked surface combatant, LCS's modular, focused-mission design will provide Combatant Commanders the required warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility to ensure maritime dominance and access for the joint force. LCS will operate with focused-mission packages that deploy manned and unmanned vehicles to execute missions including, Special Operations Forces (SOF) support, high-speed transit, Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP).

(Artist concept provided to the U.S. Navy courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation, Photo #040527-O-0000L-003, from the Navy News Stand)

Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.

Manager, Navsource
DE / FF / LCS Archive

1501001b

365k

undated: Marinette, Wis. - An aerial view of Fincantieri Marinette Marine, which was founded in 1942 along the south bank of the Menominee River in Marinette, Wisconsin. The river forms the border between Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Originally built to meet America's growing demand for naval construction, today FMM is one of the premier builders of vessels for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. From humble beginnings with a contract to build five wooden barges, FMM has grown into a world-class shipbuilder, having designed and built more than 1,500 vessels. In conjunction with the Lockheed Martin Corp., all of the planned Freedom Class LCS's will be built here, beginning in 2005 with USS Freedom (LCS 1).

(Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin, Fincantiere Marinette Marine)

1515001

259k

02 September 2015: Billings, Mont. - Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus delivers remarks at a dual ship-naming ceremony for the Navy's newest Littoral Combat Ship, the future USS Billings (LCS 15) and future Virginia-class attack submarine, USS Montana (SSN 794), at Metra Park Rimrock Auto Arena. Mabus thanked the people of Montana for their support and contributions to the Navy and discussed the special bond that exists between a state and its namesake vessel.

(U.S. Navy photo #150902-N-AC887-001 by MCC Sam Shavers, from the Navy Newstand)

1515002

259k

03 November 2015: Marinette, Wis. - A welder authenticates the keel by welding the initials of the ship's sponsor, Mrs. Sharla D. Tester, onto the keel plate of the U.S. Navy's fifteenth Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS Billings (LCS 15), in a ceremony held at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. The Keel Laying is the formal recognition of the start of the ship and module construction process.

(U.S. Navy photo #151103-N-XX501-014 courtesy of Lockheed Martin, from the Navy Newstand)

1515003

217k

16 June 2017: Marinette, Wis. - The 15th littoral combat ship, the future USS Billings (LCS 15) is pictured next to the Menominee River ahead of its christening on 01 July 2017. Once commissioned, LCS-15 will be the first ship named Billings in naval service.

(U.S. Navy photo #170616-N-N0101-320 courtesy of Lockheed Martin, from the Navy Newstand)

Ron Reeves

1515019

372k

01 July 2017: Marinette, Wis. – A beautiful morning sunrise over the Menominee River. PCU Billings (LCS 15) sits high in her launch cradle while PCU Little Rock (LCS 9) and PCU Wichita (LCS 13) sit peacefully at their fitting out piers.

(Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin, Fincantiere Marinette Marine)

Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.

Manager, Navsource
DE / FF / LCS Archive

1515001

467k

01 July 2017: Marinette, Wis. - The future USS Billings (LCS 15) is pictured sitting in the launch cradle next to the Menominee River on the morning of her launching. Already in the river, just ahead of the launch area is the future USS Little Rock (LCS 9).

(U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin, from the Navy Newstand)

Lee Wahler
Lcdr., USN (ret.)

1515007

487k

01 July 2017: Marinette, Wis. - The future USS Billings (LCS 15) is pictured sitting in the launch cradle next to the Menominee River on the morning of her launching. Already in the river, just ahead of the launch area is the future USS Little Rock (LCS 9).

(Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin, Fincantiere Marinette Marine)

Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.

Manager, Navsource
DE / FF / LCS Archive

1515005

297k

01 July 2017: Marinette, Wis. - LCS-15's sponsor Sharla Tester, the wife of Montana Sen. Jon Tester, the ranking member of the Senate Veteran's Affairs Committee, christens the future USS Billings. Once commissioned, LCS-15 will be the first ship of its name in naval service.

(U.S. Navy photo #170701-N-N0101-021 courtesy of Lockheed Martin, from the Navy Newstand)

Ron Reeves
Oaklyn, N.J.

1515006

631k

01 July 2017: Marinette, Wis. - The U.S. Navy's future USS Billings (LCS 15) launches sideways into the Menominee River in Marinette, Wisconsin, following its christening by ship sponsor Sharla Tester.

(U.S. Navy photo #170701-N-N0101-023 courtesy of Lockheed Martin, from the Navy Newstand)

533k

551k

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384k

06 December 2018: Marinette, Wis. - The future littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) conducts acceptance trials on Lake Michigan. Billings is the
17th littoral combat ship, an adaptable platform designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions.

(U.S. Navy photo #181206-N-N0101-028, 181206-N-N0101-027, 181206-N-N0101-026, and 181206-N-N0101-025 by Lockheed Martin from the Navy News Stand)

1.) 1515008 2.) 1515009 3.) 1515010 4.) 1515011

Lee Wahler
Lcdr., USN (ret.)
Jacksonville, Fla.

1515012

460k

15 December 2018: Marinette, Wis. - An early morning view of the Marinette Marine shipyard from the Menominee River as the future littoral combat ships USS Billings (LCS 15), left, and USS Indianapolis (LCS 17) are moored in front of USS St. Louis (LCS 19), before St. Louis' christening, 15 Dec. 2018.

(U.S. Navy photo #181215-N-N0101-113 courtesy of Lockheed Martin, from the Navy Newstand)

Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.

Manager, Navsource
DE / FF / LCS Archive

1515013

270k

27 March 2019: Marinette, Wis. - The sun rises behind the future USS Billings (LCS 15), left, and the future USS Indianapolis (LCS 17) at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. Later today the yard will hold a "Keel Laying and Authentication" ceremony for the future USS Marinette (LCS 25)

(Photos courtesy of Lockheed Martin Team Freedom)

1515014

377k

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5.) 320k

28 July 2019: Key West, Fla. - The future littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) arrives at Naval Air Station Key West's Truman Harbor in preparation
for its commissioning ceremony on 03 August. Billings is the 17th littoral combat ship to enter the fleet and the eighth of the Freedom variant. It is the first
ship named for Billings, the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana. Naval Air Station Key West is the state-of-the-art facility for combat fighter aircraft of all
military services, provides world-class pierside support to U.S. and foreign naval vessels, and is the premier training center for surface and subsurface military
operations.

(U.S. Navy photo #190728-N-KM072-006, 190728-N-KM072-005, 190728-N-NJ416-018, 190728-N-KM072-002,
and 190728-N-NJ416-176 by Danette Baso Silvers (1-3) and MC3 Arnesia McIntyre (4, 5) from the Navy News Stand)

1.) 1515015 2.) 1515016 3.) 1515017 4.) 1515018 5.) 1515019

1.) 328k

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7.) 471k

8.) 330k

9.) 339k

10.) 323k

Saturday, 03 August 2019: Key West, Fla.

The Navy commissioned USS Billings (LCS 15) at a ceremony in Key West, Fla., over the weekend, adding the eighth Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship to fleet. Billings, built by Lockheed Martin, is the Navy’s 17th LCS commissioned by the Navy, and the first Naval vessel named for Montana's largest city. However, Billings ran into some difficulty arriving at its commissioning ceremony. In June, after leaving the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin, Billings collided with moored bulk carrier Rosaire Desgagnes in the St. Lawrence River near Montreal, Canada. Billings was steaming to its new homeport of Mayport, Fla. Billings’ prospective CO Commander Michael Johnson was relieved of command following the incident, and Commander Nate Rowan, who had served as the commanding officer of USS Wichita (LCS 13), took command of the newest LCS.

“The USS Billings is a highly maneuverable, lethal, and adaptable force to be reckoned with,” Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said in a statement. “It’ll represent Montana and our nation proudly in the water by defending us around the world. At a time of new global threats and challenges, these naval capabilities provide critical support to our men and women in uniform who work to keep us safe.” Tester is the ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. His wife Sharla is Billings’ sponsor. During the commissioning ceremony, she welcomed the families of the ship’s crew to join her to give the traditional order: “Man our ship and bring her to life.” Billings will be homeported in Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

1.) The audience awaits the commissioning of USS Billings, the 17th littoral combat ship to enter the fleet and eighth of the Freedom variant. ...........................................................190803-N-NJ416-473
2.) Naval Air Station Key West color guard parades the colors during the commissioning ceremony of USS Billings (LCS 15). ........................................................................................190803-N-NJ416-377
3.) Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Research Development, and Acquisition, James Guerts, speaks during the commissioning ceremony. ....................................................................190803-N-RL695-1198
4.) U.S. senator of Montana, Jon Tester, speaks during the commissioning ceremony of USS Billings. ..........................................................................................................................................190803-N-RL695-1214
5.) Adm. Craig S. Faller, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, speaks during the commissioning ceremony of USS Billings (LCS 15). ......................................................................190803-N-RL695-1175
6.) Cmdr. Nathan Rowan, the commanding officer of USS Billings, speaks during his ship's commissioning ceremony. ........................................................................................................190803-N-RL695-1270
7.) The crew of the Navy's newest littoral combat ship, USS Billings, prepares to bring the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony. .................................................................190803-N-NJ416-465
8.) The crew of the Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, USS Billings, brings the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony. ......................................................................................190803-N-RL695-1335
9.) The crew of the Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, USS Billings (LCS 15), brings the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony. ..................................................................190803-N-RL695-1426
10.) Billings Mayor, Bill Cole, passes the long glass to Lt. Ashleigh Evans in tradition of setting the first watch during the commissioning of USS Billings. ....................................190803-N-RL695-1283

(Photos by MC3 Arnesia McIntyre, courtesy of the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)

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6.) 1515025 7.) 1515026 8.) 1515027 9.) 1515028 10.) 1515029

1.) 306k

2.) 482k

3.) 354k

4.) 312k

5.) 285k

30 August 2019: Mayport, Fla. - The Freedom-class variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) gets underway from Naval Station Mayport as
Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet orders all U.S. Navy ships homeported in the area to sortie ahead of Hurricane Dorian, which is forecasted to bring high winds
and heavy rain to the East Coast. Ships are being directed to areas in the Atlantic where they are best postured for storm avoidance.

(U.S. Navy photo #190830-N-QI061-2139, 190830-N-QI061-2166, 190830-N-DA434-057, 190830-N-DA434-078,
and 190830-N-QI061-2223 by MC3 Nathan T. Beard (1, 2, 5) and MC3 Alana Langdon (3, 4) from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)

1.) 1515030 2.) 1515031 3.) 1515032 4.) 1515033 5.) 1515034

1515035

354k

04 September 2019: Norfolk, Va. - The littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) gets underway as Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet orders U.S. Navy ships and aircraft in the area to sortie ahead of Hurricane Dorian, which is forecasted to bring high winds and heavy rain to the East Coast. Ships are being directed to areas in the Atlantic where they are best postured for storm avoidance.

(U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #190904-N-PW494-0076 by MC1 Joshua D. Sheppard from the Defense Visual Info. Distribution Service)

1515036

500k

06 September 2019: New London, Conn. - Two views of the Littoral Combat Ship USS Billings (LCS 15) making her way up the Thames River and past the City of New London on her way to Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. Billings left her homeport of Naval Station Mayport in Florida on 30 August to avoid hurricane Dorian. She stopped briefly at Naval Station, Norfolk, Va. and continued north to Groton on 04 September.

(U.S. Navy photos #190906-N-UM744-003, and 190906-N-UM744-004 by John Narewski, Submarine Readiness Squadron 32, from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)

1515037

364k

1515041

312k

26 September 2019: Jacksonville, Fla. - Military students of the Colombian Joint Staff College embark the Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15). Billings is homeported at Naval Station Mayport.

(U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #190926-N-KK394-026 by MC2 Anderson W. Branch from the Defense Visual Info. Distribution Service)

1.) 308k

2.) 357k

3.) 365k

Wednesday, 04 March 2020: Mayport, Fla.
The crew of Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) installs a Yokohama mega fender, the world's largest floating pneumatic
fender, to the ship's portside at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Wichita and Billings are currently homeported at Naval Station Mayport .

(U.S. Navy photo #200303-N-KK394-1009, 200304-N-KK394-1011, and 200304-N-KK394-1017 by MC2 Anderson W. Branch from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)

1.) 1515038 2.) 1515039 3.) 1515040

Blue Crew	Gold Crew
1.) 03 Aug. 2019	Cmdr. Nathan D. Rowan (NROTC '00) (Tenn.)	1.) 01 Mar. 2020	Cmdr. Brian August Forster (USNA '02) (Buena, N.J.)
2.) 03 Apr. 2020	Cmdr. Aaron L. Helgerson (enl. '95, ECP '99) (Freeman, S. D.)	2.) 05 Sep. 2021	Cmdr. Brett R.Seeley (Citadel '03) (Bradenton, Fla.)
3.) 10 Dec. 2021	Cmdr. Jeffrey A. Gerring (enl. '96, NROTC) (Aberdeen, Md.)	23 Mar. 2023	Gold Crew Disestablished
4.) 23 Mar. 2023	Cmdr. Curtis L. Thomas II (NROTC) (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Blue Crew

Gold Crew

1.) 03 Aug. 2019

Cmdr. Nathan D. Rowan (NROTC '00) (Tenn.)

1.) 01 Mar. 2020

Cmdr. Brian August Forster (USNA '02) (Buena, N.J.)

2.) 03 Apr. 2020

Cmdr. Aaron L. Helgerson (enl. '95, ECP '99) (Freeman, S. D.)

2.) 05 Sep. 2021

Cmdr. Brett R.Seeley (Citadel '03) (Bradenton, Fla.)

3.) 10 Dec. 2021

Cmdr. Jeffrey A. Gerring (enl. '96, NROTC) (Aberdeen, Md.)

23 Mar. 2023

Gold Crew Disestablished

4.) 23 Mar. 2023

Cmdr. Curtis L. Thomas II (NROTC) (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Navsource Online: Littoral Warship Photo Archive

Billings (LCS 15)

"Billings, The Ship" - "Billings, The People"

Billings Memorabilia
Billings' Emblem Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler

Billings History
View the USS Billings (LCS 15) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.