Sailors assigned to the Littoral combat ship USS Indianapolis (LCS 17) recently visited their ship’s namesake city Jan. 12-15, 2020.

During the brief visit, Command Master Chief Jimmy Halleran, Information Systems Technician Chief Delila Edwards, Culinary Specialist First Class Gregory Simmons and Mineman Chief Daniel O’Connell participated in a variety of media events, met several local officials, and visited different attractions in the Indianapolis area.

The four crewmembers attended the Governor’s State of the State presentation where they were introduced at the Indianapolis House and Senate as the fourth naval vessel named after the city and commissioned on Oct. 26, 2019.

“It was truly an honor to be introduced to the Indianapolis community at such a high level for all of the great work our ship has done and will do in the future, said said Halleran. We are proud to continue to reflect on the historic ships that have represented this great city with our ship’s motto ‘legacy of war.’”

During the trip, Indianapolis Sailors visited Sugar Grove Elementary School for a discussion with local youth on opportunities provided by the Navy. Sailors described what life is like on a LCS and the benefits of a career in the U.S. Navy. They taught the children how to salute and stand at attention.

“It was so nice to see how excited the kids were to meet some of the faces in uniform and hear about a few of the great things about our job, said Simmons. The children of Sugar Grove Elementary loved learning how to salute,”

Between visits, the crew participated in two local media interviews with Wish-TV and Fox 59. They answered questions regarding their jobs, life on the ship and the mission of LCS. The Sailors spent the visit meeting local representatives of media, legislation and the community. Sailors also visited the USS Indianapolis CA-35 Memorial to recognize and pay their respects for those who died on the last U.S. ship to sink in World War II.

On Jan. 13, Sailors watched the Indiana Pacers defeat the Philadelphia 76ers in a close game at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

“It was incredible to watch such tremendous athletes compete at this level, said O’Connell. Both our crew and the players on the Pacers are representing the great state of Indiana in our own way.”

LCS class ships allow the Navy to strengthen its partnership with other countries’ navies and coast guards. A fast, agile and high-technology surface combatant, Indianapolis, like the other ships in her class, will serve as a platform for launch and recovery of manned and unmanned vehicles. LCSs perform maritime security operations, theater security cooperation engagements and freedom of navigation patrols; keeping critical maritime commerce routes open. Littoral combat ships are able to patrol the littorals and access ports where other ships may be unable.

USS Indianapolis (LCS 17) is homeported in Naval Station Mayport, Florida and is assigned to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2.

For news about USS Indianapolis, visit their Facebook sites at www.facebook.com/comlcsron2/  or www.facebook.com/ussindylcs17/ .

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.