USS Freedom (LCS 1) berths in Milwaukee, Wis., Nov. 4, 2008, prior to its commissioning ceremony slated for Nov. 8, 2008. Freedom is the first of two littoral combat ships being produced for the Navy. The ship is an innovative combatant designed to operate quickly in shallow water environments to counter threats such as mines, submarines and fast surface craft in costal regions. (DoD photo by John Sheppard, U.S. Navy/Released)
