The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) arrived at Navy Region Singapore Feb. 10 to conduct a crew swap over the next week.
Crew 104 will turn over with Crew 103 after operating Fort Worth for the first four months of her 16-month rotational deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet in support of America’s strategic rebalance to the Asia-Pacific.
After leaving her homeport of San Diego Nov. 17, Fort Worth transited across the Pacific, making port visits in Hawaii, Guam and Jakarta. Days after arrival in Singapore – her primary logistics hub in Southeast Asia – Fort Worth got underway Jan. 2 to support multinational search efforts for AirAsia flight QZ8501 at the request of the Indonesian government.
Fort Worth transited from Changi Naval Base to Sembawang for the crew swap.
Following crew swap, Fort Worth will conduct port visits, patrols, and starting with Foal Eagle in March, exercises with regional navies throughout U.S. 7th Feet. Held annually with the Republic of Korea navy, Foal Eagle also marks the first exercise in Northeast Asia that incorporates LCS participation.
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Image: US Navy