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260827-N-VW723-0013 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (Aug. 27, 2026) - The Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) departs Naval Station Mayport to begin operations in support of its scheduled deployment, Aug. 27, 2026. Littoral combat ships are fast, agile, mission-focused platforms designed to operate in near-shore environments and defeat 21st-century coastal threats, supporting the U.S. Navy's goals of forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Keenan Daniels)

260827-N-VW723-1895

260827-N-VW723-0013 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (Aug. 27, 2026) - The Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) departs Naval Station Mayport to begin operations in support of its scheduled deployment, Aug. 27, 2026. Littoral combat ships are fast, agile, mission-focused platforms designed to operate in near-shore environments and defeat 21st-century coastal threats, supporting the U.S. Navy's goals of forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Keenan Daniels)

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Photo By: Petty Officer 1st Class Keenan D

VIRIN: 260826-N-VW723-1895

The departure culminates months of training, maintenance and certification events that prepared the ship and crew to conduct a wide range of maritime operations.

“The crew of Minneapolis-Saint Paul has prepared with singular focus to ensure our ship is ready to execute every mission,” said Cmdr. Arthur Bond, commanding officer, USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21). “True to our motto, 'I will find a way or make one,' this deployment is the ultimate showcase of our platform's agility and our Sailors' tactical readiness, and our incredible team of Sailors stands ready to deliver on that promise wherever our nation tasks us.”

Minneapolis-Saint Paul is scheduled to begin its deployment by participating in the 67th iteration of UNITAS. Scheduled to begin Sept. 10 off the coast of Lima, Peru, UNITAS 2026 is the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise. The exercise will bring together 24 nations, including the United States, to train military and security forces in joint maritime operations designed to enhance tactical proficiency and increase interoperability.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments while remaining capable of open-ocean operations. Commissioned in 2022, the ship is the second U.S. Navy vessel to honor Minnesota’s Twin Cities.

Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic is responsible for manning, training and equipping assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable and combat-ready force to support U.S. national interests. The SURFLANT force consists of more than 70 warships and 34 shore commands.

For more information about SURFLANT, visit Facebook.com/SURFLANT.

-CNSL-