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Mount Whitney News

21 Sep 2023

U.S. Revives Cold War Submarine Spy Program to Counter China

Credit: noraismail/AdobeStock

On a windswept island 50 miles north of Seattle sits a U.S. Navy monitoring station. For years, it was kept busy tracking whale movements and measuring rising sea temperatures. Last October, the Navy gave the unit a new name that better reflects its current mission: Theater Undersea Surveillance Command.The renaming of the spy station at the Whidbey Island naval base is a nod to a much larger U.S. military project, according to three people with direct knowledge of the plans:…

05 Nov 2021

U.S. Navy Ship Tracked by Russia on Entry to Black Sea

Mount Whitney - File Photo: U.S. Navy

A U.S. naval command ship entered the Black Sea on Thursday as part of NATO maneuvers that drew a warm welcome from Ukraine but close scrutiny from the Russian navy. The U.S. navy said the Mount Whitney was in the region to conduct routine maritime operations with NATO allies and partners. The Black Sea - in particular the area near the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014 - is a sensitive security zone for Moscow. "The forces and means of the Black Sea Fleet have started monitoring the actions of the Mount Whitney command ship…

03 Nov 2021

Russia Holds Black Sea Navy Drills with Eye on US Ships

(Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense)

Russia's Black Sea naval forces practiced destroying enemy targets on Tuesday as Moscow bristled at the presence of two U.S. warships in the area.President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russian forces could observe the USS Mount Whitney navy command ship "through binoculars or in the crosshairs of its ... defense systems" and complained about NATO activity near Russia's borders.On Tuesday, the Black Sea fleet said its ships had rehearsed destroying enemy targets and that their air defense systems had been put on alert at its bases in Novorossiysk and on annexed Crimea…

14 Jun 2017

US Navy: Bigger is Better, but at What Cost?

U.S. Navy forces and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force routinely train together to improve interoperability and readiness to provide stability and security for the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Z.A. Landers)

The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

25 May 2016

Mount Whitney Makes History

USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, made history today as the first amphibious command ship to have an MV-22B Osprey land on its flight deck, May 23, 2016. The MV-22B and crew are part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263), “The Thunder Chickens,” based out of Marine Corps Air Station, New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The aircraft, “Thunder 00,” successfully executed four starboard and three port landings, and hot refueling before returning to Morón Air Base, Spain where they are deployed as the Air Combat Element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force -Crisis Response – Africa. Capt. Carlos A.

03 Aug 2015

Fire Aboard USS Mount Whitney

A fire broke out Saturday aboard U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC20) while the ship was dry docked for maintenance in Rijeka, Croatia, the U.S. Navy reported. The incident did not cause any personnel injuries, the Navy said, adding that the fire was extinguished within 45 minutes by personnel from the ship's force and shipyard fire brigade. The cause of fire and extent of damage are under investigation. Mount Whitney has been in Viktor Lenac Shipyard since January for a scheduled maintenance overhaul that aims to extend the ship’s service life to 2039.

19 Jul 2015

Mount Whitney Dry Docking Nears Completion

The U.S. 6th fleet’s command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), entered the final stages of its renovation and overhaul at the Viktor Lenac shipyard, in Rijeka, Croatia, July 11, 2015. After successfully completing the majority of a seven-month docking, renovation, overhaul, and at sea trial, Mount Whitney is weeks from returning to its forward deployed port of Gaeta, Italy. Mount Whitney underwent a three-day sea trial in the Adriatic Sea to test the operational capability of the vessel. The command utilized the sea trial as a means of performing necessary maintenance and performance checks on renovated weapon systems, Command, Control, Communications, Computers, & Intelligence (C4I), control mechanisms, generators, and fuel systems.

25 Mar 2015

USS Mount Whitney Wins Golden Anchor Award for Retention

The crew of the U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), painted the ship’s anchor gold March 19, 2015, after being awarded the Retention Excellence Award, for fiscal year 2014. Throughout the year, Mount Whitney maintained an overall retention rate of 88.2 percent, and reenlisted a total of 15 Sailors throughout the year, which earned them the honor of receiving the Golden Anchor Award. The golden anchor is presented annually to commands that meet or exceed annual retention goals for each reenlistment zone, maintain an attrition rate for first term Sailors below 6.2 percent, and are named to two or more quarterly retention honor rolls during the fiscal year. Ships that receive the award are authorized to paint their anchors gold.

19 Oct 2014

Mount Whitney Departs Batumi, Georgia

The U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) departed Batumi, Georgia, Oct. 18 after completing a successful port visit. While in Batumi, Sailors had the opportunity to participate in community relation projects, provide tours of Mount Whitney, participate in multiple sporting events and engage with Georgian coast guard members during military-to-military engagements. “Our port visit in Batumi, Georgia was absolutely fantastic. The opportunity to engage and interact professionally, socially and athletically with our Georgian counterparts was invaluable towards advancing an enduring bilateral partnership; a partnership committed to security and stability in the region.” – Capt. Mark Colombo, USS Mount Whitney, commanding officer, Oct.

11 Sep 2014

DoD Awards Two Ship Repair Contracts

The US Department of Defense informs it has awarded a contract to Brodogradiliste Viktor Lenac D.D., Rijeka, Croatia, for the 'USS Mount Whitney', and a contract modification to General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California for work on 'USS Boxer'. Brodogradiliste Viktor Lenac D.D., Rijeka, Croatia, is being awarded a $21,383,394 firm-fixed-price contract for a 179-day Extended Service Life Program, dry docking and ship repair of USS Mount Whitney. The ship's primary mission is to provide communication, command, and control support to U.S. Navy forces at sea. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $29,674,806. Work will be performed in Rijeka, Croatia, and is expected to be completed by July 2015. The U.S.

13 Aug 2014

AMSEC Wins Two US Navy Contracts

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today that its AMSEC LLC subsidiary has been awarded two contracts in support of the United States Navy. Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., awarded a contract to AMSEC for technical and logistical support services, as well as material kitting services, for U.S. Navy LCC 19-class Amphibious Command ships. Material kitting services involve the pre-packaging of materials required to complete a specific task. Amphibious Command ships provide command and control for fleet commanders. A total of three indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts were awarded for these services with a combined maximum dollar amount of $96.8 million. AMSEC LLC was also awarded the initial delivery order valued at $1.2 million.

27 Jul 2014

Three Share in Navy US$96.8-M Twin-Ship Modernization Contract

The U.S. Department of Defense informs that AMSEC LLC; CDI Marine Co. LLC; and Q.E.D. Systems Inc., (all located in Virginia Beach, Virginia) are each being awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee/cost-only, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for the procurement of material kitting and technical and logistical support services required to support modernization requirements for 'USS Blue Ridge' (LCC 19) and 'USS Mount Whitney' (LCC 20) under the LCC 19 Class Extended Service Life Program. Contractors will provide advance planning efforts associated with shipchecks, drawings, and engineering; and marine maintenance and installation. The maximum dollar amount that may be awarded under all three contracts combined is $96,800,000.

23 Jun 2014

BALTOPS 14 Nation Baltic Sea Naval Exercises End

Forces participating in Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2014, including the U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship, 'USS Mount Whitney' (LCC20), have arrived in Kiel, Germany, after the successful completion of the multi-nation exercise in the Baltic Sea. BALTOPS is an annual, multinational exercise to enhance maritime capabilities, interoperability and support regional stability. This year's BALTOPS, the 42nd since 1971's inaugural exercise, saw the participation of naval forces from 14 countries including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and NATO. "Coming together for BALTOPS was like climbing a mountain, we have come to the top and planted the BALTOPS flag," said Brig.

05 Jun 2014

America's Baltic Sea Commitment: Navy Exercise BALTOPS

Joint exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2014, is set for June 6-21, in the Baltic Sea. : U.S. Navy units include the amphibious command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) and members of Expeditionary Strike Group 2, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, as well as members of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/6th Fleet from Naples, Italy. This year's exercise will include 1,300 U.S. service members, in addition to forces from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

27 Feb 2014

Russian Spy Ship Makes Surprise Visit to Havana

(AFP, Adalberto Roque)

A Russian spy ship slipped into Havana Bay for an unannounced visit during a period of turmoil in Ukraine and displays of military strength elsewhere in the world. The Viktor Leonov SSV-175, part of the Vishnya class of intelligence ships, quietly entered Cuban waters earlier this week and was docked at a cruise ship terminal on Thursday, its crew casually taking in the view of the old colonial section of the Cuban capital as passers-by gawked. Russian warships have come and gone in Cuba since the collapse of the Soviet Union…

06 Feb 2014

US Navy Helps Secure Olympic Games

USS Taylor (U.S. Navy photo: Marcus L. Stanley)

With the threat of terror at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, the United States is prepped with vessels in the Black Sea. The U.S. Navy deployed two ships to the Black Sea to help protect against the threat of terror attacks surrounding the Games. According to a Navy release, the U.S. 6th Fleet flag ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), with 300 Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners onboard, arrived in the Black Sea Feb. 4 to conduct maritime security operations, and USS Taylor (FFG 50), with a crew of approximately 200 Sailors, arrived in the Black Sea Feb.

05 Feb 2014

US Navy Ships Enter Black Sea

Photo courtesy of United States Navy

The U.S. 6th Fleet flag ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), with 300 Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners onboard, arrived in the Black Sea Feb. 4 to conduct scheduled maritime security operations. USS Taylor (FFG 50) will arrive in the Black Sea Feb. Both ships will perform routine operations in the Black Sea to establish and enhance cooperation, mutual training and interoperability with regional partner nations and allies. Taylor, with a crew of approximately 200 Sailors…

04 Jun 2013

Control Systems on LCC 20 Saves Fuel, Reduces Workload

Naval Sea Systems Command completed the installation of new control systems aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), April 8, which will reduce fuel usage and crew workload. Engineers from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division - Ship Systems Engineering Station (NSWCCD-SSES) SSES installed the new control systems on a number of shipboard engineering components and are specifically designed to improve automation on the optimally manned ships. “Military Sealift Command-operated ships like the Mount Whitney traditionally have lower manning levels, therefore being able to operate many systems from one central control unit is essential,” said Matthew Douglass, Auxiliary Machinery Automation Branch head.

18 Apr 2013

New Control Systems Installed on USS Mount Whitney

Naval Sea Systems Command completed the installation of new control systems aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), April 8, which will reduce fuel usage and crew workload. Engineers from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division - Ship Systems Engineering Station SSES installed the new control systems on a number of shipboard engineering components and are specifically designed to improve automation on the optimally manned ships. "Military Sealift Command-operated ships like the Mount Whitney traditionally have lower manning levels, therefore being able to operate many systems from one central control unit is essential," said Matthew Douglass, Auxiliary Machinery Automation Branch head.

18 Apr 2013

GE to Upgrade U.S. Navy Ship

In efforts to extend ship life, increase capability and assure critical operations, the U.S. Navy is refitting its USS Mount Whitney Blue Ridge class command ship. GE has signed a contract worth US$14 million if all options are exercised with Military Sealift Command for the project.

In efforts to extend ship life, increase capability and assure critical operations, the U.S. Navy is refitting its USS Mount Whitney Blue Ridge class command ship. GE’s Power Conversion business has signed a contract worth $14 million (USD) if all options are exercised with Military Sealift Command (MSC) for this three-year, large electrical refit project, which will be one of the largest MSC has ever completed of this type as well as GE Power Conversion’s largest electrical refit project for the U.S. Navy.

10 Nov 2008

Eye on the Fleet - USS Mount Whitney

Sept. 1, 2008, the amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) departed Souda harbor following a routine port visit. Mount Whitney is homeported in Gaeta, Italy, where she received humanitarian aid supplies destined for the Republic of Georgia. Mount Whitney is transiting to the Black Sea for delivery of the humanitarian assistance cargo to the Republic of Georgia. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Paul Farley. (Source: Navy News Service)

13 Nov 2008

USS Mount Whitney Visits Varna

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) arrived in Varna, Bulgaria Nov. 8 to officially kick off the multinational Black Sea Partnership Cruise (BSPC), set to commence Nov. 10. Representatives from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Ukraine and the United States will come together to participate in the six-day, at-sea, interactive trainer, while Mount Whitney serves as the BSPC underway training platform.

02 Feb 2010

Sub Tender Transfers to Sealift Command

The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command accepted responsibility for submarine tender USS Frank Cable Monday, Feb. 1. Cable, which is homeported in Guam, serves as a floating maintenance and logistics facility for Navy submarines. Cable will operate as a commissioned ship with a U.S. Navy captain in charge of a hybrid crew, consisting of 157 civil service mariners and 206 uniformed Navy personnel. Other uniformed personnel will maintain and operate the onboard repair facility. Prior to the transfer, Cable was crewed by approximately 599 Navy personnel plus an embarked repair department that brought the total uniformed number to 1,363. Operating ships with civil service mariners frees uniformed sailors to perform critical jobs in the combatant fleet.