SUBIC BAY, Philippines – Fire Controlman 1st Class Timothy Stephenson, of Columbus, Indiana, operates a Long Range Acoustic Device aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), during a routine port visit to Subic Bay, Philippines.
Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States are directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
Information: Navy Office of Community Outreach.
