The USS Wichita was commissioned in 2018, becoming the first Freedom Class vessel on the east coast. During that time they have used a special City of Wichita flag as their battle flag, which has experienced a lot of wear and tear.
In the Gulf of Mexico, the ship has been addressing the problem with drug runners. And when they display the ships battle flag, the Wichita City Flag is what is seen by hostile vessels attempting to smuggle drugs into the U.S.
The flag is described as being much larger than the ones commercially available to fly at home. Recently the Wichita City Council learned that the crew was in need of a replacement flag. "On the open sea, getting used quite often, it gets weathered pretty quick," said Councilman Bryan Frye.
The council members then decided to mobilize their efforts to provide a replacement flag. "It flew here at City Hall," Frye said. "It's now being shipped down to them so they can have fresh flags," he added.
The City Council also plans to have other opportunities for citizens to take part in and support the crew of the U.S.S. Wichita in the near future.
