Warship USS Canberra Arrives In Australia Ahead Of Its Ceremonial Commissioning

The USS Canberra (LCS 30), the 16th independence-class littoral combat vessel, reached Sydney, Australia, on 18 July to prepare for the ceremonial commissioning. The USS Canberra, dubbed after Australia’s capital and in honour of the original HMAS Canberra that had been lost during WW II’s Battle of Savo Island while fighting alongside the US, reached Sydney Harbour.

The vessel entered in formation with the Canberra-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) HMAS Canberra before it being moored pier-side at the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) Fleet Base East. The LCS 30 will be commissioned in a ceremonial event on 22 July. Captain Marc Crawford, the Commodore of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE (LCSRON ONE), expressed how thrilled they were to be in Sydney and to show the power of their fast, optimally manned vessel that sails across seas as a symbol of their navies’ dedication to one another.

Video Credit: @DefenceAustralia/ Youtube

For over 100 years, the nations have been standing side by side.

The US ship is named Australia’s capital, and the original HMAS Canberra was sunk at the Battle of Savo Island during WWII while fighting along with the US. To sail and rendezvous with the USS Canberra was a privilege for the entire Army and the Navy and Air Force crew on HMAS Canberra, mentioned Captain Brendan O’Hara, HMAS Canberra’s commanding officer.

He also said that with another ship dubbed the Canberra, there is a natural bond between mariners and those vessels immediately. He added that they are looking forward to supporting the ship’s firm throughout the week, specifically for the much-awaited commissioning ceremony on Saturday.

While in Sydney, the crew members will take part l in sports competitions and community relations activities and learn more about other nations’ cultures and traditions.

Home ported in San Diego as a part of the Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE, the USS Canberra is an optimally manned, fast, and mission-oriented surface combatant which operates in open-ocean and near-shore environments, winning against coastal threats of the 21st century. Like USS Canberra, LCS can integrate with combined, joint, manned, and unmanned teams to support global forward presence, sea control, maritime security, and deterrence missions.

Reference: Defbrief, Navy.mil, SBS, austal

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