LCS Fleet Introduction and Sustainment Program Office Realigned to NAVSEA 21

The LCS Fleet Introduction and Sustainment Program Office (PMS 505) realigned to Naval Sea System Command’s Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization and Sustainment (NAVSEA 21) directorate during a small ceremony, Oct. 1. Participants included (left to right): Rear Adm. Eric Ver Hage, commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center and Director, Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization and Sustainment, Vice Adm. William Galinis, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command , Frederick J. Stefany III, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition (Acting), Rear Adm. Casey Moton, program executive officer, Unmanned and Small Combatants, Capt. Stephen Marino, program manager, Littoral Combat Ship Fleet Introduction and Sustainment and Capt. Matthew Lehmann, master of ceremony. *U.S. NAVY / Dave Ferraris*

WASHINGTON — As part of the U.S. Navy’s continuing efforts to integrate the littoral combat ship (LCS) with all other surface ship classes, the LCS Fleet Introduction and Sustainment Program Office (PMS 505) realigned to Naval Sea System Command’s Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization and Sustainment (NAVSEA 21) directorate during a small ceremony, Oct. 1, Team Ships Public Affairs and PEO USC Public Affairs said in a release.

PMS 505 was established in 2011 under the purview of PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) to ensure the unique aspects of LCS sustainment were fully aligned under a single Program Executive Office.

“We are excited to have PMS 505 join our team of world class maintainers and sustainers,” said Rear Adm. Eric Ver Hage, director, NAVSEA 21. “This transition will ensure LCS sustainment plans remain aligned with all other surface ship classes as we serve the fleet.”

Under PEO USC, more than half of the 35-ship LCS class has been delivered, LCS ships are routinely deploying to combatant commands, and training facilities are successfully executing the Train-to-Qualify/Certify plan for the crews.

The move does not impact or affect the work of LCS ship construction or LCS Mission Modules.

“With 20 LCS in the fleet today, PMS 505 has accomplished the mission that it was created to perform,” said Rear Adm. Casey Moton, program executive officer, Unmanned and Small Combatants. “Fleet introduction and sustainment of LCS is on a solid pathway, thanks to this team, and PMS 505 will continue supporting the Navy’s efforts to mainstream LCS by joining SEA 21, the Surface Navy’s premier maintenance and modernization organization.”

As NAVSEA’s Directorate for Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization and Sustainment, SEA 21 is the dedicated life cycle management organization for the Navy’s in-service surface ships and is responsible for managing critical maintenance, sustainment, modernization, training and inactivation programs.