USS Freedom returns to home port

SAN DIEGO, April 26 (UPI) -- The USS Freedom, the first littoral combat ship for the U.S. Navy, returned to home port in San Diego following its maiden voyage.

Freedom deployed to the waters of three countries in the U.S. 4th Fleet and U.S. 3rd Fleet Areas of Responsibility, returning unscathed to its port in San Diego.

"Freedom's homecoming, after a successful maiden deployment, is a significant milestone for the surface Navy and the future of surface warfare," said Navy Vice Adm. D.C. Curtis, commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific.

Freedom during the three-week deployment at sea made drug seizures, recovering more than 5 tons of cocaine.

It also conducted its first-strike operations with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, carrying out high-speed operations, surface gunnery events and other missions, the U.S. Navy said.

The keel for the USS Freedom was laid in Wisconsin five years ago. It was commissioned in late 2008.

Freedom deploys to the International Fleet Review in Canada during the summer and participates in the Rim of the Pacific exercise later in the year.