A United States Navy littoral combat ship visited The Bahamas in August 2026 to strengthen interoperability and regional maritime security with a key Caribbean partner. The USS Cooperstown arrived August 13 in Freeport for a three-day visit that included tours of the 3-year-old vessel and for Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) personnel to share best practices and enhance interoperability. Sailors also participated in community outreach, including helping build a garden at the country’s only government-funded school for students with special needs. “This visit highlights the strong, enduring partnership between the United States and The Bahamas and underscores a shared commitment to maritime security and regional stability,” a U.S. Northern Command news release stated.
Cooperstown’s commanding officer said the visit further solidified long-standing ties. “Our port visits reflect the enduring partnership between the United States and The Bahamas and underscores our shared commitment to strengthening maritime security throughout the region,” Cmdr. Jesse DuParc, commanding officer of the Cooperstown, said in a USNORTHCOM news release. “Through meaningful engagement with the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, lasting community outreach and amazing professional exchanges, we thoroughly enjoy the genuine trust, interoperability and enduring relationships that enhance maritime domain awareness and strengthen our collective ability to promote lasting security and stability across the Caribbean.”
Sailors spent time at the Beacon School in Freeport, on the island of Grand Bahama, in the latest demonstration of support for the school, which the U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas has focused on for several years. The U.S. has helped the school expand into vocational offerings, including a cafe, pottery barn and car detailing, to aid students in gaining independence and marketable skills.
Cooperstown entered service in 2023 and is home ported at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. The ship is part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2, which forms part of the 2nd Fleet. The 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018, is responsible for developing and deploying naval forces to defend the maritime domains in the Atlantic and Arctic regions to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S. and allied partner interests. Cooperstown is the fifth Navy ship to visit The Bahamas since 2022. “Cooperstown is deployed under U.S. Northern Command, which is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection within narrowly defined authorities to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border,” stated a 2nd Fleet Facebook post.
Cooperstown deployed from Jacksonville in May to support counter drug-smuggling operations in the Caribbean. The Freeport visit from August 13-16 was the ship’s first official foreign visit since its commissioning, according to uscarriers.net, a website that monitors U.S. Navy warships.
“This visit highlights the strong, enduring partnership between the United States and The Bahamas and underscores a shared commitment to maritime security and regional stability,” the USNORTHCOM release stated.