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Mount Whitney Enters Black Sea

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS161011-13
Release Date: 10/11/2016 12:48:00 PM

By Seaman Ford Williams, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) Public Affairs

BOSPHORUS STRAIT (NNS) -- U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) entered the Black Sea, Oct. 10, in order to conduct theater security cooperation and key leader engagement events with allies and partners in the region.

The ship's operations in the Black Sea are meant to enhance maritime security, stability, readiness, and strengthen partnerships with allies and partners.

Quote:

"Bringing the U.S. 6th Fleet command ship to the Black Sea presents a great opportunity for us to reaffirm our historic and enduring partnerships with our allies and partners in this part of the world, while demonstrating our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Black Sea region." - Rear Adm. Daryl L. Caudle, deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet director of operations

Quick Facts:

USS Mount Whitney is operating in the Black Sea in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. All Department of Defense efforts in support of continued commitment to the collective security of NATO allies and European partners fall under the umbrella of OAR.

While operating in the Black Sea, Mount Whitney will conduct theater security cooperation and key leader engagement events with allies and partners in the region.

Elements of the U.S. 6th Fleet staff are currently embarked aboard Mount Whitney to provide planning support to U.S. European Command's (USEUCOM) computer-assisted exercise, Austere Challenge 17.

The U.S. Navy routinely operates in the Black Sea consistent with the Montreux Convention and international law.

USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) departed Gaeta, Italy Oct. 7.

Mount Whitney, forward deployed to Gaeta, Italy, operates with a combined crew of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering and supply service operations, while military personnel support communications, weapons systems and security. It is one of only two seaborne joint command platforms in the U.S. Navy, both of which are forward deployed.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests, and security and stability in Europe and Africa.