USS Independence (LCS 2)

USS INDEPENDENCE is the lead ship of the INDEPENDENCE - class of Littoral Combat Ships and the General Dynamics consortium's design for the Navy's littoral combat ship program. It is a trimaran design and competes with Lockheed Martin's USS FREEDOM (LCS 1) monohull design. The USS INDEPENDENCE is the seventh ship in the Navy to bear the name and the first ship in the fleet fittet with the SeaRAM system.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: October 14, 2005
	Keel laid: January 19, 2006
	Launched: April 29, 2008
	Commissioned: January 16, 2010
	Builder: Austal USA, Mobile, Ala.
	Propulsion system: two LM2500 gas turbine engines, two diesel engines, four waterjets
	Length: 418 feet (127.5 meters)
	Beam: 104 feet (31.5 meters)
	Draft: 13 feet (4 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 2,784 tons full load
	Speed: 47 knots
	Armament: one Mk-110 57mm gun, one SeaRAM CIWS
	Aircraft: two MH-60 helicopters
	Homeport: Norfolk, Va.
	Crew: 8 officers, 32 enlisted (two crews, a gold and a blue one) and up to 35 mission crew

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS INDEPENDENCE. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

Click here to view the list.

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Click here to see which USS INDEPENDENCE memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

Dark blue and gold are traditionally associated with the United States Navy. The field is charged with a representation of LCS 2 at sea. The crenellated bordure bears six merlons, each representing one of the previous ships to bear the name INDEPENDENCE. The eight mullets on the bordure recall the battle stars awarded INDEPENDENCE (CVL 22) for distinguished service during World War II. Gold also denotes excellence.

The Crest:

The Liberty Bell signifies the freedoms achieved by America's independence from England's domination and emphasizes the participation in gaining national independence of the first ships to bear the name. The stars and stripes and commodore's pennant of the early nineteenth century recall the nation's struggles of that historic period.

The Motto:

"Libertas Per Laborem Audentium" (Independence Through Bold Action) in gold letters on a dark blue scroll garnished Argent doubled gold with dark blue garnish.

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USS INDEPENDENCE Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by me and show the INDEPENDENCE at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 29, 2010.

The photos below were taken by me and show the INDEPENDENCE at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on May 8, 2012 - only 6 days after her maiden arrival in San Diego.

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