USS BILLINGS DEPLOYS TO SUPPORT REGIONAL COOPERATION AND SECURITY

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Austin Collins | 211215-N-KY668-1037 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. - (Dec. 15, 2021) – The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) departs Naval Station Mayport, Florida for the ship’s second deployment, Dec. 15th, 2021. During the deployment to the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility, Billings, 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 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Austin G. Collins/Released)  

MAYPORT, UNITED STATES

12.15.2021

Story by Lt. Anthony Junco 

Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron TWO

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (Dec 15, 2021) - The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15), along with the “Dragon Whales” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 Detachment 7 and embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment, departed from Naval Station Mayport Dec. 15, continuing its maiden deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.

Billings will support counter- illicit trafficking operations in the Caribbean. Billings’ operations will involve practical exercises and exchanges with partner nations, supporting 4th Fleet interoperability, and reinforcing the U.S. position as the regional partner of choice.

Deploying a LCS to the region aims to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to international cooperation and regional security. The ship’s size, speed, and agility make LCS ideal for narcotics interdictions, partner engagements and port access.

“The Billings Blue crew is excited and ready for our inaugural deployment,” said Cmdr. Jeffrey Gerring, commanding officer of Billings. “We look forward to continuing the fantastic work done by Cmdr. Brett Seeley and the Gold crew during their recent 4th Fleet operations. Our crew is trained and ready to tackle any mission in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility.”

Manned by over 100 Sailors, Billings’ crew will consist of surface warfare mission-package personnel, a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment (LEDET), and an aviation detachment, who will operate the embarked MH-60S helicopter and MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

“I am so excited for my first deployment. I cannot wait to see new and different places, especially since my first duty station is in my hometown,” said Culinary Specialist Je’laine Hands, a new Billings’ crewmember.
LCS is a fast, agile, and networked surface combatant, designed to operate in near-shore environments, while capable of open-ocean tasking and winning against 21st-century threats.

USS Billings is operationally assigned to U.S. 4th Fleet and one of three littoral combat ships under Mine Division 22.

• Date Taken: 12.15.2021
• Date Posted: 12.16.2021 08:31
• Story ID: 411152
• Location: MAYPORT, US