--- title: "The Navy decommissioned Littoral Combat Ship USS Freedom after 13 years" description: "On November 8, 2008, the Navy commissioned USS Freedom (LCS-1)." date: "2021-10-11" modified: "2021-10-11" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/the-navy-decommissioned-littoral-combat-ship-uss-freedom-after-13-years/" categories: - "History" - "Navy" - "Ships" - "Tactical" --- # The Navy decommissioned Littoral Combat Ship USS Freedom after 13 years ![A modern naval warship with a sleek, angular design and gray camouflage paint, cruising on calm blue waters. The ship features a large deck area at the rear, a prominent bridge with multiple antennas and radar equipment, and a mounted gun turret near the bow. The vessel emits a small trail of dark smoke from its exhaust.]() *130222-N-DR144-174 .PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 22, 2013) The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) is underway conducting sea trials off the coast of Southern California. Freedom, the lead ship of the Freedom variant of LCS, is expected to deploy to Southeast Asia this spring. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James R. Evans/Released). \USS \Freedom\ (LCS-1) is one of two classes of LCS built for the Navy (U.S. Navy)\* On November 8, 2008, the Navy commissioned USS *Freedom* (LCS-1). The lead ship in her class, *Freedom* was designed by Lockheed Martin for shallow water operations like minesweeping, humanitarian relief, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-piracy. However, she was not the only class of Littoral Combat Ship that Congress ordered. On January 16, 2010, the Navy commissioned USS *Independence* (LCS-2). With a competing design by General Dynamics, *Independence* was the lead ship in her own class of LCS. However, after putting them to sea, the Navy found both classes of LCS wanting. In December 2015, *Freedom*-class USS *Milwaukee* (LCS-5) suffered a mechanical failure in the Atlantic and had to be towed back to port. The next month, USS *Fort Worth* (LCS-3) had a similar breakdown in the Pacific. Other *Freedom*-class ships suffering propulsion issues, including USS *Freedom* herself, led to the Navy halting future deliveries in January 2021. ![A large, modern gray naval warship docked at a pier, featuring a sleek, angular design with a helicopter landing pad at the rear, multiple antennas and radar equipment on the superstructure, and a mounted gun turret near the bow. The ship has the number "2" painted on the front hull. The surrounding water is a clear blue-green, and the pier has a few people and vehicles visible.]() **USS* Independence *(LCS-2) featured a unique trimaran hull (U.S. Navy)** *Independence* didn't fair much better. In 2011, it was discovered that she was aggressively disintegrating due to galvanic corrosion. Although the remaining ships in the class received additional anti-corrosion treatments, these issues reflected poorly on both LCS classes. ![Sailors in white uniforms and civilians stand in formation near a docked naval ship with a blue banner reading "USS INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2)" and the motto "Libertas per Laborem Audentium." Multiple flags, including the American flag, are displayed around the area. Four sailors stand on the ship's gangway above the banner.]() **The crew of Independence deliver the ensign and commissioning pennant during the ship's decommissioning (U.S. Navy)** In February 2020, the Navy announced the planned decommissioning of the first four LCSs. "Those four test ships were instrumental to wringing out the crewing, the maintenance and all the other things we needed to learn from them," then-Rear Adm. Randy Crites told reporters. "But they’re not configured like the other LCSs in the fleet, and they need significant upgrades. Everything from combat \[systems\], to structural, you name it. They’re expensive to upgrade." In short, the limited operational juice of the LCSs wasn't worth the budgetary squeeze to keep them up-to-date. On July 29, 2021, *Independence* was decommissioned at her homeport of Naval Base San Diego. *Freedom* followed just a few months later on September 29, also in San Diego. The Navy now looks to the *Constellation*-class FFG(X) guided-missile frigates to replaces both classes of LCS. ![Sailors in white uniforms and face masks walking on a gangway with a blue banner that reads "USS FREEDOM (LCS 1) FAST, FOCUSED, FEARLESS" alongside crossed anchor symbols. The background shows part of a ship and a clear blue sky.]() **Sailors disembark USS* Freedom *(LCS-1) during her decommissioning ceremony (U.S. Navy)** ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()