New LCS training facility

SAN DIEGO - The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 22 for the Littoral Combat Ship Training Facility (LTF) at Naval Base San Diego. The LTF will be home to three Independence variant Integrated Tactical Trainers (ITTs) completed with a full mission bridge, bridge wing trainer, and functional combat system and mission package (3) trainers. Each trainer can be operated independently to focus on team training to those specific teams. They can also be linked to train all three mission package teams. Naval Surface Forces, Littoral Combat Program Executive Office and the Naval Education and Training Command among other organizations have come together to deliver a gold-standard LCS training facility to the fleet, said Capt. Bill McKinley, CSCS commanding officer. The mission of CSCS is to develop and deliver surface ship combat systems and specialized training for officers and enlisted sailors required to tactically operate, maintain, and employ shipboard and shore-based weapons, sensors, and command and control systems. (Source: Center for Surface Combat Systems 09/26/16) Gulf Coast Note: Independence variant LCS is built at Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. The headquarters of the Naval Education and Training Command is based aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.