Oakland joins the US Navy
USS Oakland (LCS 24) moored pierside during its commissioning ceremony on 17 April. (Photo: US Navy/ Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Pearl)
USS Oakland has been commissioned into the USN after Austal USA completed construction of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).
Senior DoD and USN officials were present at a 17 April ceremony for the ship, which will be homeported at Naval Base San Diego.
As the 12th Independence-class LCS, Oakland will join its 11 predecessors already in service at San Diego.
The LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform optimised to operate in near-shore environments while also capable of open-ocean operations.
It can support forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence.
LCS vessels are also capable of supporting surface warfare, mine warfare and ASW missions.
Armament for the LCS includes AGM-114L Hellfire missiles, the Mk 110 57mm gun and the MK 49 Rolling Airframe Missile Guided Missile Launching System.
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