Some of the military's most advanced ships are docked in the Philadelphia region this weekend as the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps celebrate 250 years of service. The USS Billings is among the ships now open for free public tours.

The USS Billings is a littoral combat ship that was built for speed, maneuverability and coastal operations. It's moored next to the iconic Battleship New Jersey in Camden, offering visitors a striking contrast between the Navy's past and present.

"I heard about the Billings," George Chitty of Bricktown, New Jersey, said. "They said it was a newer ship. So I've never seen anything like that."

U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Michael Murphy, the ship's operations officer, said the Billings crew is proud to take part in the historic celebration.

"For the USS Billings

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