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Warship's Crew Brings 'Can Do' Attitude

July 27, 2023 |DOD News

The U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Canberra at the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Base East in Sydney, Australia on July 22.

A ship sits in a harbor parallel to an opera house as a helicopter flies above with a bridge in the background.
A ship sits in a harbor parallel to an opera house as a helicopter flies above with a bridge in the background.
Sydney Sail
The USS Canberra arrives in Sydney, Australia, July 18, 2023, ahead of its commissioning ceremony.
Download: Full Size (1.43 MB)
Credit: EJ Hersom, DOD
VIRIN: 230718-D-DB155-1112A


"This truly is a special occasion for our fleet and our nation to be here with you in Australia, one of our closest allies, to celebrate the commissioning of our Navy's newest warship that is destined to serve throughout the Indo-Pacific region," Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said.

Sailors stand on the deck of a ship as they wave their hats.
Sailors stand on the deck of a ship as they wave their hats.
USS Canberra Commissioning
The crew of the U.S. Navy's newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) gives three cheers with sailors from the HMAS Canberra during the U.S. ship’s commissioning ceremony in Sydney, Australia, July 22, 2023.
Download: Full Size (1.3 MB)
Credit: EJ Hersom, DOD
VIRIN: 230722-D-DB155-1016Y

"I am confident that wherever USS Canberra is sailing, and whatever challenges her crew may face, they are ready, as reinforced by this warship's motto — 'Can Do!'"

People line up on a red carpet outside a Navy ship.
People line up on a red carpet outside a Navy ship.
USS Canberra Commissioning
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro arrives to the commissioning ceremony for the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra in Sydney, Australia, July 22, 2023.
Download: Full Size (993.28 KB)
Credit: EJ Hersom, DOD
VIRIN: 230722-D-DB155-1011Y
U.S. and Australian military leaders arrive for a ship's commissioning.
U.S. and Australian military leaders arrive for a ship's commissioning.
USS Canberra Commissioning
Members of the official party arrive for the commissioning ceremony of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra in Sydney, Australia, July 22, 2023. Looking toward the camera are Royal Australian Chief of Navy Vice Adm. Mark Hammond and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday.
Download: Full Size (972.8 KB)
Credit: EJ Hersom, DOD
VIRIN: 230722-D-DB155-1020Y
Sailors stand on a ramp and salute during a ship's commissioning ceremony.
Sailors stand on a ramp and salute during a ship's commissioning ceremony.
USS Canberra Commissioning
Sailors salute during the commissioning ceremony of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra in Sydney, , Australia, July 22, 2023.
Download: Full Size (1.53 MB)
Credit: EJ Hersom, DOD
VIRIN: 230722-D-DB155-1003Y

U.S. and Australian ceremonial guard members pose for a photo next to a ship.
U.S. and Australian ceremonial guard members pose for a photo next to a ship.
USS Canberra Commissioning
The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard and the Royal Australian Navy ceremonial guard line up for a photo op shortly before the commissioning ceremony for the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra in Sydney, Australia, July 22, 2023.
Download: Full Size (1.39 MB)
Credit: EJ Hersom, DOD
VIRIN: 230722-D-DB155-1018Y
Ceremonial guard sailors perform near a ship.
Ceremonial guard sailors perform near a ship.
USS Canberra Commissioning
The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard performs for the commissioning ceremony of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra in Sydney, Australia, July 22, 2023.
Download: Full Size (1.28 MB)
Credit: EJ Hersom, DOD
VIRIN: 230722-D-DB155-1023Y
Sailors stand in formation as one smiles.
Sailors stand in formation as one smiles.
USS Canberra Commissioning
Sailors stand during the commissioning ceremony of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra in Sydney, Australia, July 22, 2023.
Download: Full Size (808.96 KB)
Credit: EJ Hersom, DOD
VIRIN: 230722-D-DB155-1001Y

Sailors visited the ship's namesake city, Canberra, for a Freedom of Entry march on July 23. The Navy has a strong tradition of developing relationships between a ship and its namesake community or family to establish enduring ties.


A U.S. sailor and an Australian sailor unveil and a kangaroo emblem with a U.S. flag design in front of an applauding audience.
A U.S. sailor and an Australian sailor unveil and a kangaroo emblem with a U.S. flag design in front of an applauding audience.
Kangaroo Crew
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aiyanah Cruz, foreground right, and Royal Australian Navy Able Seaman Matilda Brown unveil a kangaroo-shaped emblem that will adorn the littoral combat ship USS Canberra during is commissioning ceremony in Sydney, Australia, July 22, 2023.
Download: Full Size (2.32 MB)
Credit: EJ Hersom, DOD
VIRIN: 230722-D-DB155-1015

Canberra is the second Navy ship named for Australia's capital. The first was renamed from Pittsburgh to Canberra on Oct. 16, 1942, and was commissioned on Oct. 14, 1943, in honor of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra, which was lost at the Battle of Savo Island during World War II.

Ships sail in a body of water near a bridge with buildings in the background under an orangish sky as seen through a ship’s porthole.
Ships sail in a body of water near a bridge with buildings in the background under an orangish sky as seen through a ship’s porthole.
City View
The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge are visible through a porthole of the USS Canberra, July 20, 2023. The littoral combat ship is in the Australian city for its ceremonial commissioning.
Download: Full Size (1.13 MB)
Credit: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Mark D. Faram
VIRIN: 230720-N-NT811-1005M

Spotlight: Value of Service Spotlight: Value of Service: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Value-of-Service/

service Navy Australia Indo-Pacific

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