The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Manchester (LCS 14) moors pier side at its homeport of Naval Base San Diego, September 11. Manchester returned to Naval Base San Diego following an 18-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleets in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Littoral Combat Ships are fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications 2nd Class Isaak Martinez)