The U.S. Navy proudly showcased its newest warship, USS Marinette (LCS 25), during Maryland Fleet Week, June 12-18. This event provided a significant opportunity for the public to experience firsthand the capabilities and innovations of one of the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).
USS Marinette, a Freedom-variant LCS capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence, was open for public tours from June 12th through the 18th. Visitors had the chance to explore the ship, meet the crew and learn about its vital role in maintaining maritime security and freedom of navigation. She is the first U.S. Navy ship to bear the name Marinette in honor of the Wisconsin city and is the only Navy vessel that has been built, christened and commissioned in its namesake city.
“We were excited to welcome USS Marinette into Baltimore to celebrate Maryland Fleet Week,” said Capt. Matthew Lehmann, program manager of the Littoral Combat Ship program office. “It’s wonderful that residents got the opportunity to see and explore one of our finest LCS warships. Freedom variant LCSs provide a unique capability and value to the Navy, and it is important that Americans can see and appreciate these critical ships that are deployed across the globe.”
Maryland Fleet Week is an annual event celebrating the sea services and offers a variety of activities, including ship tours, equipment displays, and live demonstrations of naval technology. This event not only honors the service and sacrifice of the men and women in the Navy but also serves to educate the public about the technological advancements and strategic importance of modern naval warfare.
“It was a pleasure to visit this wonderful vessel with the next generation of leaders, and we are so grateful to the crew, squadron, and Commanding Officer, Commander Janet Broome for hosting us,” said Jonas Brown, deputy program manager of the Littoral Combat Ship program office. “Fleet Week is an amazing venue for Americans to reach out and touch the ships that protect peace across the globe, and USS Marinette represented well the pride of Wisconsin and the pride of the Navy.”
The Navy’s littoral combat ship program is a part of the Program Executive Office, Unmanned and Small Combatants portfolio, which designs, develops, builds, and delivers the Navy’s unmanned maritime systems; mine warfare systems; special warfare systems; expeditionary warfare systems; and small surface combatants.