Mount Whitney Deploys in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom
Story Number: NNS021115-21
11/15/2002
From U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) deployed Nov. 12 to the Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Mount Whitney, one of the Navy's premier command and control platforms, has served as the flagship of Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, and Commander, NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic since 1981. Despite this, the ship has also served as a flagship for other senior service commanders on occasion.
In 1999, Mount Whitney deployed to the Mediterranean as flagship for Commander, 6th Fleet, relieving the command ship USS La Salle (AGF 3). The ship deployed in 1994 to Haiti with Lt. Gen. Hugh Shelton, commander of the 18th Airborne Corps, in command of the Joint Task Force that conducted Operation Uphold Democracy.
This historic deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom will embark elements of the 2nd Marine Division and II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF), based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., under the command of Maj. Gen. John F. Sattler.
Mount Whitney is commanded by Capt. David Prothero and has a complement of approximately 560 officers and enlisted personnel. The most sophisticated command, control, communications, computer, and intelligence (C4I) ship ever commissioned, Mount Whitney incorporates various elements of the most advanced C4I equipment available today to give the embarked commander an enhanced capability to effectively command all units under the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF).
Commander, 2nd Fleet will embark a contingent of 48 staff personnel aboard USS Mount Whitney in support of the CJTF commander.
