http://www.navytimes.com/news/2013/03/ap-navy-sends-lcs-freedom-singapore-amid-cuts-031213/

By Audrey McAvoy - The Associated Press Posted : Tuesday Mar 12, 2013 7:50:30 EDT

ABOARD THE FREEDOM The U.S. Navys hottest new ship and the centerpiece of its renewed focus on Asia isnt its largest vessel, or its most technologically advanced. But it has advantages that its bigger siblings lack.

The 388-foot Freedom is small enough to move among the many islands and shallow waters of Southeast Asia, a trait that allows the Navy to train alongside similar-sized vessels in the regions navies and build relationships with them.

All this, the Navy believes, will help it make sure the regions critical waterways stay open to the trillions of dollars in oil and other trade that passes through each year. Its an objective so important the Navy is sending the Freedom to Singapore this month even as automatic federal spending cuts carve into its budget.

We hold our commitment to them, to our area, our theater, so highly that this deployment has not been affected, said Rear Adm. Hugh Wetherald, the U.S. Pacific Fleet deputy chief of staff for plans, policies and requirements.

The Navy and the Pacific Fleet are still on watch, he said.

Freedom on Monday sailed to Pearl Harbor, into the prime mooring spot the Navy often reserves for ships it wants to show off. The blue and gray camouflage painted on its sides designed to confuse hostile small boats and make it less visible from shore stood out amid the plain gray hulls of the other surface vessels in port.

Until now, most U.S. ships visiting Southeast Asia have been aircraft carriers, destroyers, cruisers and other large boats well equipped for jobs such as firing cruise missiles or defending against fighter jets.

But they dwarf smaller ships U.S. partner navies from other countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Thailand use for missions such as patrolling the seas, catching pirates, and stopping human and drug trafficking.

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Navy sends Freedom to Singapore amid cuts