WASHINGTON, D.C.— Yesterday, House Committee on Armed Services Vice Chair Elaine Luria questioned the U.S. Navy’s plan to decommission the only 10-year old USS Freedom (LCS-1) despite its successful recent deployment to counter drug operations and illicit trafficking in South and Central America. Rep. Luria pressed Admiral Craig S. Faller, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, about the Navy’s decision to decommission the first four ships in this class despite the pressing need to grow the fleet against the backdrop of Chinese and Russian aggression, including in the Western Hemisphere.
Watch the full line of questioning here.
As a 20-year Navy veteran serving on the House Committee on Armed Services, Congresswoman Elaine Luria has consistently advocated for maintaining a strong force posture in the SOUTHCOM and NORTHCOM areas of responsibility. In a hearing in 2019, she highlighted gaps between the previous administration’s goal of keeping drugs away from the Southern border and how many Navy ships are being assigned to do the job.
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