The littoral combat ship USS St. Louis (LCS 19), Freedom variant, returned to Naval Station Mayport on November 10, 2025, after completing a reinforcement deployment in the Gulf of America under U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). The vessel operated alongside the “Valkyries” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50, Detachment 5, and an embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 408.
U.S. Navy units deployed under the maritime authority of USNORTHCOM operate within the framework of homeland defense, with Coast Guard personnel aboard to conduct maritime interdiction missions aimed at preventing drug trafficking and other illicit activities. The command works in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen the capabilities of Customs and Border Protection along the southern border through additional military support.
“The St. Louis team is grateful for the opportunity to support and defend the homeland,” said Commander Lee Shewmake, commanding officer of USS St. Louis (LCS 19). “We are always ready to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to international cooperation and to supporting regional security and prosperity. Our officers and sailors aboard value every opportunity to work with our partners, strengthening interoperability and shared objectives in the region,” he added.
During its deployment, the St. Louis contributed to USNORTHCOM’s mission of restoring territorial integrity along the southern border, reinforcing maritime security efforts and interagency cooperation. The operation reflected the Department of Defense and Navy’s priority on national protection through a coordinated response to threats such as maritime terrorism, arms proliferation, transnational crime, piracy, environmental destruction, and illegal maritime migration.
“The U.S. Navy congratulates the crew of the St. Louis for their deployment in support of the Northern Command mission,” said Captain Wade Smith, commodore of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2. “The St. Louis reinforced our nation’s commitment to border security and interoperability with our partners and allies.”
The ship also responded to presidential executive orders and the national emergency declaration defining the military’s role in protecting U.S. territorial integrity. On board, the Coast Guard detachment carried out maritime interdiction, combat operations, migrant interdiction, force protection, counterterrorism, and humanitarian response missions.
USS St. Louis belongs to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2 and is based in Mayport, Florida. The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class is designed to operate in coastal environments, offering high maneuverability and the ability to counter contemporary threats. These ships can operate independently or as part of a networked battle force alongside larger units such as cruisers and destroyers.
The return of the St. Louis comes amid an increase in U.S. naval presence in the Western Hemisphere. Under U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and its strike group are currently operating in Caribbean waters. According to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, “the enhanced presence of U.S. forces in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility will strengthen the United States’ ability to detect, monitor, and disrupt actors and illicit activities that threaten the security and prosperity of the homeland.”
Thus, both the St. Louis deployment in the Gulf of America and the presence of the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Caribbean are part of a joint effort aimed at expanding maritime surveillance, interdiction, and regional cooperation capabilities within the framework of the U.S. defense strategy for the Western Hemisphere.
Images for illustrative purposes only.
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