The US Navy has commissioned Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Tulsa (LCS 16) as the newest surface combatant during a ceremony in San Francisco.

USS Tulsa is the eighth of the Independence-variant and the Navy’s second ship to bear the name of the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s second largest city.

The vessel will be homeported at Naval Base San Diego where it will join USS Freedom (LCS 1), USS Independence (LCS 2), USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), USS Coronado (LCS 4), USS Jackson (LCS 6), USS Montgomery (LCS 8), USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), USS Omaha (LCS 12) and USS Manchester (LCS 14).

US Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said: “USS Tulsa represents an investment in readiness and lethality, and is a testament to the increased capabilities made possible by a true partnership between the Department of the Navy and our industrial base.”

“USS Tulsa is a testament to the increased capabilities made possible by a true partnership between the Department of the Navy and our industrial base.”

Sponsored by former Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor, LCS 16 is one of 13 ships planned to be commissioned this year as part of the Navy’s efforts to safeguard the country’s maritime interests.



US Pacific Fleet commander admiral John Aquilino said: “Having the right mix of ships with the right number of ships, to include Tulsa, makes us ready to execute prompt and sustained combat operations at sea to fight and win against any adversary.”

LCS is designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions.

The Independence-variant LCS is built by a team led by Austal USA. Lockheed Martin heads the team responsible for building the Freedom-variant LCS.