5K witness LCS 18 commissioning

CHARLESTON, S.C. - As clouds passed overhead, the crew of USS Charleston (LCS 18) ran aboard to “man their ship” and bring it to life March 2. More than 5,000 guests attended the commissioning ceremony of the Navy’s newest Littoral Combat Ship into the fleet. LCS-18 is the 16th LCS to enter the fleet and the ninth of Independence variant, which are all built at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Ala. Cmdr. Christopher K. Busca, the ship’s commanding officer, gave Cmdr. James H. Hoey, the executive officer, orders to hoist the ship’s colors and commissioning pennant. Next, the traditional setting of the first watch was ordered by former Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. – one of the nation’s longest serving mayors. The former mayor’s wife Charlotte Riley served as the ship’s sponsor. She had christened Charleston on Aug. 26, 2017, during a ceremony at the Austal shipyard in Mobile. Falling in line with his pride as leader, Cmdr. Busca added a surprise element to the ceremony by calling up Electronics Technician 2nd Class Jeremiah Hughey of Biloxi, Miss., and meritoriously promoting him to the rank of first-class petty officer. (Source: LCS Squadron One 03/03/19)