NOVEMBER 19, 2025 – The freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Wichita departed Naval Station Mayport, Florida, to support U.S. Northern Command southern border operations, Nov. 14, 2025.
Wichita assumes duties previously executed by the freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS St. Louis. The ship will conduct similar operations as St. Louis in support of Northcom’s border security objectives. Northcom is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to augment U.S. Customs and Border Protection along the southern border with additional military forces.
Navy assets are deployed under Northcom’s maritime homeland defense authorities with a Coast Guard law enforcement detachment embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs or other illegal activity. Since entering the Gulf of America, St. Louis received support from the “Valkyries” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 50 Detachment 5 and embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 408.
“USS Wichita stands ready to relieve St. Louis as the leading edge for Northcom’s homeland defense mission,” said Cmdr. Travis Snover, Wichita’s commanding officer. “We will carry on the dedication, impact and hard work of our fellow shipmates and will live up to our motto as the ‘Keeper of the Seas.'”
The littoral combat ship platform is a fast, agile, mission-focused warship designed to operate in near-shore environments to counter 21st-century threats. It is a class of small surface combatants armed with capabilities to defeat challenges in the world’s littorals. LCS can operate independently or in high-threat scenarios as part of a networked battle force that includes larger, multimission surface combatants such as cruisers and destroyers.
“St. Louis’ deployment is a powerful example of how we’re prioritizing maritime homeland defense, which directly impacts national security,” said Navy Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet. “I look forward to Wichita supporting Northcom in implementing our shared commitment to readiness, presence and collaboration with partners and allies.”
Wichita is assigned to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2 and homeported at Naval Station Mayport.
By Courtesy of Commander
U.S. 2nd Fleet