It is so cool to have an official ship of the U.S. Navy named for the Magic City, and we should welcome any crew member who comes to town.  Wednesday evening is your opportunity to visit with ten crew members.

This public meet-and-greet will be at the Billings Public Library's community room on October 30th, starting at 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.  You can hear about their activities at sea, the role and tasks of each crew member, and any possible deployments coming up.

They may answer the questions you have, but don't be surprised if the response is "That is confidential."

What is the USS Billings?

The Billings is a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) numbered 15.  This class of warship operates in waters close to shore, called the Littoral Zone, which can extend at far as the end of the continental shelf and to a mid-depth of the oceans.  An LCS is a floating platform and hangar for helicopters and receiving and launching vessel for smaller watercraft.  It displaces water only two fifths of the hull, providing closer access to the shore.  It has a forward weapons zone to accommodate offensive and defensive weapons arrays.  You can learn more of the details at this link for the USS Billings.

Photo: U.S. Navy on YouTube
Photo: U.S. Navy on YouTube
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Wanna Join the Navy?

...or know a young person who has hinted at joining the military?  This is a golden opportunity to learn if service in the Navy will be a good fit.  Again, some details may be classified, but the various crew members can divulge the general life on a ship, the work duties, and the range of occupations needed in this branch of the military.  The years spent in the service will later open many doors to careers in civilian life, or the Navy or any branch may be all the career a man or woman needs.

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