The littoral combat ship USS Coronado has departed for the first time from San Diego on an independent deployment to the Western Pacific.
The USS Coronado is designed to operate near the shore and around shallow water to counter mines, submarines and fast surface craft threats.
USS Coronado along with 70 sailors and crew members will participate in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) which βprovides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.β
"This ship will play a critical role in the fleet and in our nation's defense,β said Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, U.S. Third Fleet commander. βRIMPAC provides a good opportunity for our partner navies to work with the ship and see how it can contribute to collective regional security."
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Three (HSC-23) deployed with the ship along with the MQ-8 Fire Scout, an autonomous helicopter that works for surveillance and tracking off of the naval vessel.