Like the year before, I not only viewed the parade but took part in a tour of one of the vessels in the parade. This time it was just one. Last year I was able to leave one tour then directly go to the other. 2022 required going back to the end of the long line. The one chosen is the Littoral Combat Ship LCS 22, USS Kansas City. Looks like they might have been in a fender bender?
The weather was less than cooperative as 2021. Carl, the fog, was present during the parade and during the rest of the weekend. Disappointed spectators had to deal with cancellations of the airshow due to visibility. Utilizing some stealth elements into its design, aspects resemble the DDG 1001 USS Michael Monsoor missile destroyer from last year.
As you look down the piers along the waterfront, aside from the LCS, theres USS Harper's Ferry LSD 49 and a Princess Cruises cruise ship docked at the cruise terminal
At the forward deck is the 57mm gun
The port side of the bridge above the hanger deck
Just behind the brid is the SeaRAM missile defense system. The amalgamation of the upper part from the Close In Weapons System(CIWS) sensors with an 11-missile launcher for the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile
The electronics array above the bridge decorated with flags to make it look festive
A rescue boat launched from the port side. Starboard side has an opening for a number of uses
The stern of the ship has an opening to the mission bay where the tour initially boards the boat
The ships were open to tours around 10am from Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun, Monday. Friday they participated in the parade where they left the bay, lined up, and motored back in. Depending on which pier they are docked at, you may need to line up inside the structures built on the piers.
A monolithic angled grey slab is all you see from the side of the trimaran designed warship. Even numbered LCS are part of the Independence clas of ships that use the 3 hull design. Even numbered ship are part of the Freedom class which utilize the traditional single hull
Going up the ramp and making our way onboard, 1 of 2 M2 50 caliber machine is mounted. 4 in total on the ship
The open mission bay doors that we peered into earlier
The internal cavity of the mission bay
To keep things from moving around too much during rough seas, floors of the mission bay and the hangar bay have mounts for tie-downs to secure materials and vehicles. different kinds for different needs and loads
The door to the rescue boat
As we progress further, theres a drinks vending machine. What caught my eye was the large number of energy drinks and they also have Dr Pepper
We could smell the galley as we entered the next section of the ship.
Im assuming they are being well fed with some tastey meals. Like I said, it smelled pretty good
I liked how they labeled the hallways with street signs as would be seen on any city street
A this point, we thought the we were on pretty stable ground. But, when we made our way to the hanger deck, we started to notice the rocking of the boat especially when you look out the hangar bay doors. See video for evidence
Looks the same as the bay a level below but an MH60 helicopter can be stored and launched from here
From the very back of the ship looking out to the others who have lined up to take the tour. I lined up at 9:30, got in around 11:10, and this is around 11:30ish
Some time to walk around and take pictures
Now that I think about it, I wish I had taken a picture down the side of the boar
A closer look at SeaRAM and you can make out the 11 circle for each of the missiles
Lastly, we proceed to the front deck to wrap up the tour. Not much but the back of the deck gun
Looking back at the bridge and up to the array of instruments above it
To either side of the 67mm are the other 2 M2
Off the starboard side on the other side of the pier is USS Harper's Ferry. Port side is the marina attached to Pier 39
A parting shot
Althoug I didnt take the tour, you can see the uppermost part of the superstructure of the transport ship
The transport ship can carry 2 LCAC hovercrafts
The hangar deck can accommodate 2 MH60 Seahawks
The ship is armed and can defend itself. Unlike the SeaRAM on LCS 22, this carries 2 sets of RIM 116 Rolling Airframe Missile seperate from CIWS
6 M2 machine guns and 2 25mm cannons
And 2 seperate CIWS system using the 20mm Phalanx gatling guns
