The US Navy has deployed USS Freedom to take part in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010, the world’s largest maritime exercise, held from 23 June to 1 August in and around the Hawaiian islands.

During the exercise, the first littoral combat ship (LCS 1), Freedom, will work alongside air, land and maritime forces from 13 other nations.

LCS 1 will participate in the exercise with onboard Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22 and the LCS surface warfare mission package.

USS Freedom is a fast, agile and manoeuvrable ship specifically designed for combat missions including anti-submarine warfare and mine detection, and to fight against fast attack craft in the littorals.

USS Freedom recently completed its maiden deployment during which the ship conducted counter-illicit trafficking operations and seized many drug vessels.