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.