On June 23 the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) command ship of the U.S. Navy entered the waters of the Port of Klaipėda, it was met and escorted by the Shallow Waters Team of General Kazimieras Nestoras Sapiega Fusilier Battalion.
The USS Mount Whitney is the flagship of the 6th Fleet and one of the primary command ships of the U.S. Navy in Europe. It is one of the two Littoral Command and Control (LCC) class command ships used worldwide for joint maritime operational command and coordination. The ship’s primary mission is to ensure planning, coordination and control of maritime operations within large-scale international operations.
The ship spans 189 meters in length and 33 meters in width (beam), displacement (at full load) stands at approx. 19 600 tons. It is manned by up to 930 of crew and staff. The USS Mount Whitney is one of the most advanced maritime command platforms equipped with cutting-edge communications, data transfer and operational control systems.
Two Phalanx CIWS Block 1B 20 mm short-range defence systems integrated on the ship are effective against anti-ship cruise missiles and other air targets. The ship also has two Mk 38 Mod 2/3 Bushmaster 25 mm machine gun systems for small surface manoeuvre craft and low-flying aerial targets.
The USS Mount Whitney takes part in MATO and Allies’ national exercises, including the multinational exercise in the Baltic Sea BALTOPS, on a regular basis. Port calls in the Baltic region are an important sign of the U.S. commitment to regional security and collective NATO defence.
Photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces
