THE TENSION: Photo Essay: Aboard USS Freedom; Nov. 26, 2008

MONTREAL (Nov. 20, 2008) The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) Freedom sails under the Pont Jacques-Cartier Bridge as the ship heads to the Old Port of Montreal. Freedom is the first of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter threats in coastal regions and is en route to Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 3rd Class Specialist Kenneth R. Hendrix.)

MONTREAL (Nov. 21, 2008) The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) sits pier side at the Old Port of Montreal. Freedom is the first of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter threats in coastal regions and is en route to Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth R. Hendrix.)

MONTREAL (Nov. 20, 2008) Sailors aboard the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) lay out mooring lines as the ship enters a lock as she transits the Saint Lawrence River. Freedom is the first of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter threats in coastal regions and is en route to Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 3rd Class Specialist Kenneth R. Hendrix.)

SAINT LAWRENCE RIVER (Nov. 19, 2008) The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) sails up stream in the Saint Lawrence River. Freedom is the first of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter threats in coastal regions and is en route to Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 3rd Class Specialist Kenneth R. Hendrix.)

QUEBEC CITY, Canada (Nov. 21, 2008) The crew of the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) prepare mooring lines as the ship positions to berth along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec City. Freedom is the first of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter threats in coastal regions. The ship was commissioned Nov. 8 in Milwaukee and will make port calls while underway to Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien.)

PORT ROBINSON, Ontario (Nov. 18, 2008) The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) transits through one of many locks stations in the Welland Canal. Freedom is the first of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter threats in coastal regions and is in route to Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 3rd Class Specialist Kenneth R. Hendrix.)

PORT COLBORNE, Ontario (Nov. 18, 2008) The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) enters the Welland Canal as Sailors man their sea and anchor detail stations. Freedom is the first of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter threats in coastal regions and is in route to Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 3rd Class Specialist Kenneth R. Hendrix.)

PORT ROBINSON, Ontario (Nov. 16, 2008) Sailors aboard the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) man their sea and anchor detail stations as the ship transits through one of the many lock stations of the Welland Canal. Freedom, the first of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments, is enroute to Naval Amphibious Bass Little Creek, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 3rd Class Specialist Kenneth R. Hendrix.)

PORT ROBINSON, Ontario (Nov. 18, 2008) Sailors aboard the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) man their sea and anchor detail stations, as the ship transits through one of the many lock stations of the Welland Canal. Freedom is the first of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter threats in coastal regions and is in route to Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 3rd Class Specialist Kenneth R. Hendrix.)

SAINT LAWRENCE RIVER (Nov. 19, 2008) Lt. Cmdr. Rich Jarrett looks views a part of the Saint Lawrence River called the Thousand Islands from the bridge aboard the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1). Freedom is the first of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter threats in coastal regions and is en route to Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 3rd Class Specialist Kenneth R. Hendrix.)