Charleston’s connection to the military is more than symbolic, it’s active, enduring and deeply rooted in both our history and our future. This past week, we had the distinct honor of welcoming the USS Charleston (LCS-18) back to its namesake city. The visit offered an opportunity to strengthen the bond between the ship’s crew and our region, while spotlighting the evolving mission of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class and the strategic role our community plays in supporting national defense.
The USS Charleston is the sixth ship named after the historic City of Charleston. The original USS Charleston was a row galley that served in the United States Navy from 1798 to 1802. Built in Charleston, the first USS Charleston had a mission similar to that of today’s USS Charleston, which is to dominate the littoral environment. The Littoral Combat Ship is a class of relatively small, fast and agile warships designed for operations in near-shore or littoral environments. These vessels are intended to counter threats like mines, submarines and small surface craft, and can operate independently or as part of a larger naval force. LCS ships are known for their modular design, allowing them to quickly adapt to different missions with interchangeable mission packages.
The ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Meghan Gray, along with nine members of her crew, traveled from San Diego, California, where the USS Charleston is homeported, to visit Charleston. During their visit, Commander Gray and her crew met with several city leaders and toured the city. Commander Gray provided an excellent overview of the evolution of the LCS class since the first ships were commissioned and discussed the challenges faced by the class as new mission sets are introduced. One significant change in the LCS class is the increase in crew size, expanding from approximately 40 sailors to about 100 to support new mission sets and maintenance requirements. The USS Charleston has adapted to the evolving demands of the LCS class with great success and has performed admirably in the Pacific Fleet theater of operations.
Looking to the future, the USS Charleston will increase its coordination with the United States Marine Corps and employment of unmanned air and surface vehicles in the littoral environment. Additionally, in 2026, the ship will shift its home port to Bahrain. We wish the officers and crew of the USS Charleston much success as they operate in the increasingly hostile environment of the Red Sea.
Special thanks to the Navy League for coordinating the highly successful visit, as well as to our outstanding hosts: Pinnacle Bank, Charleston RiverDogs, City of Charleston, City of North Charleston, Joint Base Charleston, Coast Guard Sector Charleston and Patriots Point.
Military affairs are more than a pillar of our regional identity; they’re a strategic part of our region’s economic and civic future. If you’re interested in getting more involved with the Chamber’s military advocacy efforts, I welcome your partnership. Reach out to me directly at dbrown@charlestonchamber.org and let’s continue strengthening the bonds between our business community and those who serve.
