USS Santa Barbara Commissioning

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (Apr 1, 2023) Command Senior Chief Rose Thibodeaux, Independence-class variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS32), right, escorts the Ship's Sponsor, Lola Zinke during the LCS32 Commissioning Ceremony onboard Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), Port Hueneme, Apr. 1, 2023. Littoral Combat Ships are fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe. NBVC is a strategically located Naval installation composed of three operating facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme and San Nicolas Island. NBVC is the home of the Pacific Seabees, West Coast E-2D Hawkeyes, 3 warfare centers and 80 tenants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 1st Class Douglas "Evan" Parker/Released)