Singapore, Rajab 23, 1434, Jun 2, 2013, SPA - U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel toured the U.S. Navy's new small combat ship, the USS Freedom, the first of a new class of littoral warships recently deployed to Asia. Docked at Changi Naval Base, the Freedom has been participating in naval exercises with countries in the region, and going through regular maintenance and logistical checks as part of an effort to work through any problems in this maiden voyage. Hagel is the first Pentagon chief to step aboard a littoral combat ship that has been deployed, according to a report of the Associated Press. --SPA 11:58 LOCAL TIME 08:58 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1116218