Australian Chief Minister of Northern Territory Tours USS Canberra (LCS 30)

20 September 2023

From Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Vance Hand, Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE

SAN DIEGO – The Australian Chief Minister of Northern Territory toured the Independence-variant littoral combat USS Canberra (LCS 30) in San Diego, Sept. 11.

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Capt. Marc Crawford, left, commodore of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE, speaks to Natasha Fyles, center, the Australian Chief Minister of Northern Territory, on the bridge of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) during a scheduled tour, Sept. 11, 2023. Homeported in San Diego as a part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE, USS Canberra is a fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS like USS Canberra integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Vance Hand)

Canberra returned to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego on Aug. 29 after conducting the first U.S. Navy ceremonial commissioning. Canberra and crew visited American Samoa and the Pacific Island Nation of Fiji prior to its arrival in Sydney for commissioning. Canberra commissioned at the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Base East in Sydney, Australia, on July 22.

Australia welcomed the USS Canberra to Sydney Harbour, with HMAS Canberra guiding the Independence-variant littoral combat ship to berth alongside Fleet Base East ahead of the formal commissioning on 22 July. The crews of HMAS Canberra and USS Canberra will focus on joint activities during commissioning week, including playing sport, ship tours and sharing their countries' culture and traditions. This ceremonial commissioning emphasizes the more than 100 years of mateship built on friendship, history, democracy, and respect. The two countries have fought side-by-side in every major conflict since World War I. Canberra’s namesake is a reminder of the shared responsibility the U.S. and Australia have to each other as allies.

Natasha Fyles, the Australian Chief Minister of Northern Territory, received a tour of Canberra from Capt. Marc Crawford, commodore of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One and met with Cmdr. William Ashley, commander of USS Canberra (LCS 30) Blue Crew.

Capt. Marc Crawford, left, commodore of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE, speaks to Natasha Fyles, the Australian Chief Minister of Northern Territory, on the flight deck of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) during a scheduled tour, Sept. 11, 2023. Homeported in San Diego as a part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE, USS Canberra is a fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS like USS Canberra integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Vance Hand)

“We are incredibly honored to host Chief Minister Fyles today for a tour and highlight the deep connection with our namesake country,” said Ashley. “Visits like these strengthen the ties and commitment between our two Nations.”

Canberra was the first U.S. warship ceremoniously commissioned in an allied country, as well as the first foreign military entity granted Freedom of Entry to a foreign city in Australia. Granting Freedom of Entry is an honor bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary.

“The Northern Territory’s location in the Indo Pacific is critical to the allied strategy, regional stability and the maintenance of globally significant maritime routes,” Chief Minister Fyles said.

“Touring the USS Canberra was a honour - this tour was an excellent opportunity to reconfirm the Territory’s support for U.S. defense activity at the Pacific Fleet’s base in San Diego.”

Natasha Fyles, center left, the Australian Chief Minister of Northern Territory, poses for a photo alongside leadership aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) during a scheduled tour, Sept. 11, 2023. Homeported in San Diego as a part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE, USS Canberra is a fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS like USS Canberra integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.

Canberra is the second U.S. Navy ship named for Australia’s capital. The first, a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser, was renamed from Pittsburgh to Canberra on October 16, 1942, and was commissioned on October 14, 1943. It was named in honor of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra, which was lost at the Battle of Savo Island in World War II.

Homeported in San Diego as a part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE, USS Canberra is a fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS like USS Canberra integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.