LCS-1 deploys on a wave of self-parody ...

Let's look back at what the CNO had to say about deploying LCS early.

"Deploying LCS now is a big step forward in getting this ship where it needs to be – operating in the increasingly important littoral regions," said Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations. "We must deliver this critical capability to the warfighter now."

...and as I suspected - where is this "increasingly important littoral region" that the LCS will deliver its transformational ability to the "warfighter now?"

The littoral combat ship Freedom nosed away from the quay wall here Tuesday to begin a deployment that will take it on patrols for smugglers in the Caribbean and then, at last, to its homeport of San Diego.

Beautiful. Counter Narcotics.

The CNO painted himself in a happy-talk corner, and that is unfortunate. A man in his position should not so easily fall into lingo-laden hype. Sad.

But wait, there's more.

“I want to recognize the hard work it took to get the ship to this point,” said Rear Adm. Vic Guillory, commander of 4th Fleet, who talked briefly with reporters on the pier before the Freedom’s crew took up lines.

Guillory addressed the crew in the ship’s hangar — or “airborne mission zone,” in LCS parlance
...
In addition to its core crew of 40 sailors, Freedom is carrying a detachment from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, the Sea Knights; a module crew for its partial surface warfare package; and two Visit, Board Search and Seizure teams, including sailors from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and a Coast Guard law enforcement detachment. Altogether, Garner said there were about 90 people on board for the sail-away from Mayport.

From two syllables to five syllables. How transformational.

...and it is only a tailored, partial mission package.

We have been doing CN for how many decades? Where can LCS do the CN mission that we cannot now? Etc, etc. OPS NORMAL for this program though - razzle-dazzle with hype; consume unfathomable amounts of cash; and underperform.

Hey, I am glad they are going to send her out to see how things go - they just should not have sold it the way they did. It is transparently hype in the extreme and cheapens everyone.

I wish CO and crew well. It's a good time of the year for the Caribbean.

LCS: tomorrow's Medium Endurance Cutter today.

As a side-bar - if you want some non-consultant speak from a 4-star: click here.

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UPDATE: Sigh.

The Surface Community has once again made naval history! At 0956 EST yesterday morning, USS Freedom (LCS-1) took in all lines and got underway from Mayport to begin her maiden deployment-more than 2 years ahead of schedule. This is a moment that all Surface Warriors should feel a tremendous amount of pride, as it was a community-wide effort that made this happen. With FREEDOM now on deployment and INDEPENDENCE working hard on the early stages of trials and certification, now more than ever we must realize and celebrate the fact that LCS is our future. We have and will continue to learn many important force-wide lessons from the early stages of the LCS program. These lessons will help us become smarter and more prepared to man, train, equip and operate all of our ships into the future.

Please take the time to discuss this historic milestone with your Sailors so that they too understand the significance of the LCS program and what it means for our Surface Navy. I have attached a few photos and a link to video shot from the pier to help you spread the word and celebrate this momentous occasion. Thanks for all you do each day to make our Surface Force the greatest the world has ever known.

VADM Curtis
All Ahead Full!

Leadership is not spin. -1.