Navsource Online: Littoral Warship Photo Archive
Ship's patch courtesy of
Don McGrogan,
BMCS, USN (Ret.)
Wichita (LCS 13)
"Keeper Of The Seas"
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| Click On Image For Full Size Image | Size | Image Description | Contributed By And/Or Copyright |
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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, Photo #040527-O-0000L-003 courtesy of The Lockheed Martin Corporation from the Navy News Stand) |
Mike Smolinski Clifton, N.J. Navsource DE / FF / LCS Archive Manager | |
 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) | ||
 1513001 |
214k | 17 September 2016: Marinette, Wis. - Kate Lehrer, sponsor of the future USS Wichita (LCS 13), breaks a bottle of champagne across LCS-13's
bow during the ship's christening ceremony. Once commissioned, LCS-13 will be the third naval vessel to honor Kansas's largest city. (U.S. Navy Photo #160917-N-N0101-100 courtesy of The Lockheed Martin Corporation from the Navy News Stand) | ||
 1513002 |
394k | 17 December 2013: Marinette, Wis. - The 13th littoral combat ship, the future USS Wichita (LCS 13) launches sideways into the Menominee
River after being christening by ship sponsor Kate Lehrer. Once commissioned, LCS 13 will be the third naval vessel to honor Kansas's largest city. (U.S. Navy Photo #160917-N-N0101-101 courtesy of The Lockheed Martin Corporation from the Navy News Stand) |
Lee Wahler Lcdr., USN (ret.) | |
 1509019 |
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. Navsource DE / FF / LCS Archive Manager | |
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11 July 2018: Lake Michigan - The future littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) conducts acceptance trials, which are the last significant milestone before a ship is delivered to the Navy. LCS-13 is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments as well as the open-ocean. It is designed to defeat asymmetric threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. (U.S. Navy photo #1.) 180711-N-N0101-390, 2.) 180711-N-N0101-377, 3.) 180711-N-N0101-374, 4.) 180711-N-N0101-376, 5.) 180711-N-N0101-369, and 6.) 180711-N-N0101-368 courtesy of The Lockheed Martin Corporation from the Navy News Stand) 1.) 1513003 2.) 1513004 3.) 1513005 4.) 1513006 5.) 1513007 6.) 1513008 |
Lee Wahler Lcdr., USN (ret.) Jacksonville, Fla. | |||
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12 January 2019: Mayport, Fla. 1.) The audience stands as the ensign is raised above the littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) during its commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Mayport. Wichita is the fourteenth littoral combat ship to enter the fleet and the seventh of the Freedom variant. It is the third Navy combat ship named after Wichita, the largest city in Kansas. 2.) Cmdr. Nathan Rowan, the commanding officer of the littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13), delivers remarks during Wichita's commissioning ceremony. 3.) Kate Lehrer, ship sponsor of the littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13), prepares to motivate the ship's crew during Wichita's commissioning. 4.) The crew of the Navy's newest littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) bring the ship to life (U.S. Navy photos #1.) 190112-N-DA434-157, 2.) 190112-N-DA434-230, 3.) 190112-N-DA434-175, and 4.) 190112-N-DA434-199 by MC3 Alana Langdon from the Navy News Stand) 1.) 1513009 2.) 1513010 3.) 1513011 4.) 1513012 |
Mike Smolinski Clifton, N.J. Navsource DE / FF / LCS Archive Manager | |||
 1513013 |
407k | 04 March 2020: Jacksonville, Fla. - The Freedom-class littoral combat ships USS Wichita (LCS 13) and USS Billings (LCS 15) moor alongside each other
using a Yokohama mega fender, the world's largest floating pneumatic fender, at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Wichita and Billings are currently homeported at Naval
Station Mayport. (U.S. Navy photo #200304-N-KK394-1011 by MC2 Anderson W. Branch from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
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24 February 2021: Mayport, Fla. Three views of USS Wichita (LCS 13) getting underway from Naval Station Mayport with her crew manning the rails. (U.S. Navy photos #1.) 210224-N-RL695-1060, 2.) 210224-N-RL695-1094, and 3.) 210224-N-RL695-1101 by MC2 Marianne Guemo from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) 1.) 1513030 2.) 1513031 3.) 1513032 | ||||
 1513014 |
465k | 02 March 2021: The Caribbean Sea - Two views of the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) as she transits the Caribbean Sea.
Wichita is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter illicit drug trafficking in the
Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo #210302-N-N3764-000120030 and 210302-N-N3764-0007 by AG1 Keith E. Mitchell from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513015 |
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 1513018 |
212k | 31 March 2021: The Caribbean Sea - Crewmembers assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, Detachment 8, and flight deck personnel assigned to the
littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13), conduct hoist training with a dummy aboard the ship. Wichita is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations
to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo #210331-N-N3764-0102 and 210331-N-N3764-0101 by AG1 Keith E. Mitchell from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513019 |
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 1513020 |
174k | 02 April 2021: The Caribbean Sea - The littoral combat ship USS Wichita fires the 57mm MK 110 gun during a live-fire exercise. Wichita is deployed
to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo #210402-N-N3764-0110 by Lt.(jg) Kyle Milchuck from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513016 |
390k | 09 April 2021: The Caribbean Sea - Two views the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) and Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard patrol
vessel HMJS Cornwall sailin formation during a live-fire exercise. Wichita is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s
mission, which include counter illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo #2210409-N-N3764-0104 and 210409-N-N3764-0103 by AG1 Keith E. Mitchell from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513017 |
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 1513021 |
537k | 09 April 2021: The Caribbean Sea - USS Wichita (LCS 13) prepares to deploy a floating training target for use during a live-fire exercise with the Jamaica Defence
Force Coast Guard patrol vessel HMJS Cornwall. Wichita is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo #210409-N-N3764-0105 by AG1 Keith E. Mitchell from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513022 |
493k | 16 April 2021: The Caribbean Sea - The littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) prepares to recover an 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boat while underway in
the Caribbean Sea. Wichita is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission. (U.S. Navy photo #210416-N-N3764-0111 by AG1 Keith E. Mitchell from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513023 |
171k | 20 April 2021: Ponce, Puerto Rico - A sailor assigned to USS Wichita (LCS 13) shifts colors as the ship pulls into Ponce, Puerto Rico for a brief stop for fuel and
provisions while Wichita is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo #210420-N-N3764-0303 by AG1 Keith E. Mitchell from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513024 |
205k | 01 May 2021: The Caribbean Sea - USS Wichita, with embarked U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 402, intercepts a go-fast vessel during
counter-narcotics operations. (U.S. Navy photo #210501-N-N3764-0001 by U.S. Naval Forces, Southern Command from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513025 |
244k | 06 June 2021: The Caribbean Sea - The Freedom-variant littoral combat ships USS Sioux City (LCS 11) and USS Wichita (LCS 13), conduct operations
in the Caribbean Sea. Sioux City is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-illicit
drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo #210606-N-RL695-1270 by MC2 Marianne Guemo from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513026 |
448k | 04 July 2021: The Caribbean Sea - The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) and its embarked aviation detachment, participate in a maritime
training exercise with the Freedom-variant littoral combat ships USS Sioux City (LCS 11) and USS Billings (LCS 15). This exercise marks the first time three
Freedom-variant littoral combat ships are deployed and operating together. Sioux City, Wichita, and Billings are deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet
area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South. (U.S. Navy photo #210704-N-RL695-2028 by MC2 Marianne Guemo from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513027 |
414k | 04 July 2021: The Caribbean Sea - The Freedom-variant littoral combat ships USS Wichita (LCS 13), USS Billings (LCS 15), and their embarked
aviation detachments participate in a maritime training exercise with the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Sioux City (LCS 11). (U.S. Navy photo #210704-N-RL695-1853 by MC2 Marianne Guemo from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513028 |
382k | 04 July 2021: The Caribbean Sea - The littoral combat ships USS Sioux City (LCS 11), UWichita (LCS 13), USS Billings (LCS 15),
and their embarked aviation detachments participate in a maritime training exercise. This exercise marks the first time three Freedom-variant littoral combat ships are deployed and
operating together. (U.S. Navy photo #210704-N-KY668-1479 by MC3 Austin G. Collins from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513029 |
471k | 04 July 2021: The Caribbean Sea - The Freedom-variant littoral combat ships USS Sioux City (LCS 11), USS Wichita (LCS 13), USS
Billings (LCS 15), and their embarked aviation detachments participate in a maritime training exercise. (U.S. Navy photo #210704-N-RL695-1340 by MC2 Marianne Guemo from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513033 |
355k | 30 March 2022: Mayport, Fla. - The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) departs Naval Station Mayport, Florida for the ship’s second
deployment. During the deployment to the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility, Wichita, with embarked helicopter and USCG law enforcement detachment, will support
Joint Interagency Task Force South's mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo #220330-N-WH773-946 by Lt. Anthony Junco, LCSRon Two, from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513034 |
394k | 09 April 2022: The Caribbean Sea - An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the “Shadow Det” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 7, transfers ammunition
from the littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13) to the littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15). Billings is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of
operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo #220409-N-GF955-1032 by MC3 Aaron Lau from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513035 |
419k | 05 May 2022: The Caribbean Sea - The littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13), the Dominican Republic coastal patrol vessel Altair
(GC-112), and Dominican Republic Boston Whaler interceptor patrol boat Duhbe (LI-164) conduct a bilateral maritime interdiction exercise. (U.S. Navy photo #220505-N-N3764-0103 and 220505-N-N3764-0101 by AG1 Jonathan Richards from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513036 |
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04 August 2022: The Caribbean Sea Three views of A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo’s 1-228th Aviation Regiment performing deck landing qualifications aboard the littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13), off the coast of Honduras. As an example of multi-domain operations, Joint Task Force-Bravo U.S. Army and Wichita U.S. Navy assets worked together to ensure both entities are mission ready to support humanitarian assistance, disaster relief efforts or other contingency operations across the United States Southern Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photos #1.) 220804-F-OT558-6064, 2.) 220804-F-OT558-6062, and 3.) 220804-F-OT558-6074 by Tech. Sgt. Amber Carter from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) 1.) 1513037 2.) 1513038 3.) 1513039 | ||||
 1513040 |
532k | 10 September 2022: The Caribbean Sea - USS Wichita (LCS 13), USS Billings (LCS 15), and an MH-60s Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 6, participate in a photo exercise in the Caribbean Sea. Wichita and Billings are deployed to the U.S. 4th
Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo #220910-N-N3764-1003 and 220910-N-N3764-1001 by MN2 Justin Hovarter from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) | ||
 1513041 |
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| Wichita Memorabilia | ||
| Ship's Emblem  Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler |
Christening Booklet Cover  Courtesy of Richard Mattie |
Challenge Coin  Courtesy of Richard Mattie |
| Wichita History |
| View the USS Wichita (LCS 13) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site. |
| Wichita's Commanding Officers Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler |
| Date of Command | Commanding Officers |
|---|---|
| 1.) 12 Jan. 2019 - 28 Jun. 2019 | Cmdr. Nathan Rowan (NROTC '00) (Tenn.) |
| 2.) 28 Jun. 2019 - 12 Feb. 2021 | Cmdr. Chavius Germaine Lewis (OCS ‘00) (Sylvester, Ga.) |
| 3.) 12 Feb. 2021 - 10 Jun. 2022 | Cmdr. Daniel Alexander Reiher (USNA '01) (N. J.) |
| 4.) 10 Jun. 2022 - 03 Mar. 2023 | Cmdr. Eric E. Meyers (enl. '92 / ROTC '01) (Kankakee, Ill.) |
| 5.) 03 Mar. 2023 - | Cmdr. Brett M. Ringo (NROTC '06) (Colchester, Conn.) |
| Back to the DE / FF / LCS Ship Index |
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|
This page created on 07 June 2013, and is maintained by Mike Smolinski  by Paul R. Yarnall, All Rights Reserved. Page Last Updated: 01 December 2023 |
