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US Ambassador and 6th Fleet Commander Commemorate US-Croatia Partnership

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RIJEKA, Croatia (Nov. 9, 2011) - USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) is lowered into the water from dry dock at Viktor Lenac shipyard during its scheduled maintenance period in Croatia. Mount Whitney is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a hybrid crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners.

RIJEKA, Croatia (Nov. 9, 2011) - Viktor Lenac shipyard workers look on as USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) is assisted by tug boats pier side after nearly a month and a half in dry dock. Mount Whitney is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a hybrid crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners.

RIJEKA, Croatia (Nov. 9, 2011) - USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) begins its transition from dry dock to pier side at Viktor Lenac shipyard. Mount Whitney is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a hybrid crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners.

RIJEKA, Croatia (Nov. 9, 2011) - (from left to right) Croatia's Minister of Defense, Dr. Davor Bozinovic speaks with Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Adm. Frank Pandolfe; Croatian Chief of Defense Lt. Gen. Drago Lovric; and Croatian Chief of Naval Operations, Rear Adm. Ante Ulric; while commemorating the near completion of USS Mount Whitney's (LCC 20) 60-day maintenance availability at the Viktor Lenac Shipyard in Rijeka, Croatia. The leaders gathered to discuss the growing partnership between one of NATO's newest members and the United States.

RIJEKA, Croatia (Nov. 9, 2011) - Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Adm. Frank Pandolfe (center) speaks to U.S. and Croatian dignitaries and representatives of Viktor Lenac Shipyard in Rijeka, Croatia, while Croatia's Minister of Defense, Dr. Davor Bozinovic (left); U.S. Embassy Official, Duška Lastrić-Durić; and U.S. Ambassador to Croatia, the Honorable James Foley look on. During his remarks, Pandolfe explained that he looks forward to the growing partnership between Croatia and the U.S. and thanked shipyard representatives for their "most impressive skill and tireless dedication, as well as superb teamwork and dedication to safety" during the complex and challenging maintenance period.

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November 9, 2011
U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

RIJEKA, Croatia – U.S. Ambassador to Croatia, the Honorable James Foley and Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, visited Rijeka, Croatia, Nov. 9, to commemorate the near completion of the 60-day maintenance availability for USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) in the Viktor Lenac Shipyard. The visit also served to strengthen the bonds between the U.S. and Croatia.

“Two months ago, more than 300 skilled professionals from this shipyard came aboard Mount Whitney and joined with American Sailors and Civilian Mariners to modernize our command ship,” Pandolfe said to a group of U.S. and Croatian dignitaries gathered to commemorate the event. “I am truly impressed with the great work that the team has accomplished.”

With the compressed work schedule and the limited time to prepare for the complex maintenance, a lot had to be accomplished before work could begin on the 40-year-old command ship. The extensive dry-dock work package included upgrading the ship’s Close-In Weapons System, replacing 26 tons of steel, inspecting and cleaning 82 tanks and voids, and a complete inspection and preservation of the ship’s hull.

“I think the job was performed very well and there were no problems,” said Davor Lukeš, Viktor Lenac Shipyard board member. “We are making our best efforts to satisfy all requirements.”

"I continue to be very impressed with the quality of work and professionalism by the Viktor Lenac Shipyard.  I am confident that when Mount Whitney departs the shipyard, she will be in superb condition and ready to meet all of her missions,” said Capt. Ted Williams, Mount Whitney commanding officer.

Viktor Lenac was selected from among several regional shipyards in a competitive bidding process and selection [the contract] represents a substantial increase in the extent of services performed by a Croatian company for a U.S. military client.

“I’m very proud and pleased to say that our shipyard has been awarded such a large and complex project, based on our experience, capability, transparency, flexibility,” explained Robert Škific, president, Viktor Lenac Shipyard.  “Very specific work of renewal was carried out by qualified workers on all levels, focusing on safety, quality, and speed.”

Croatia’s Minister of Defense, Dr. Davor Bozinovic, explained that ship maintenance is an important part of the economy.  “We are preparing our shipyards to do this kind of work.  We want our shipyards to be more competitive in the international market,” he explained.

“The most important aspect of this event is not its scale, but the precedent it sets and the promise it holds for potential future visits,” Foley explained. “We hope that future operations and Mediterranean-basing of U.S. ships will provide regular opportunities for Croatian shipyards to bid for similar contracts.”

Pandolfe looks forward to working closely with his Croatian counterparts in the future.

“This joint effort represents a mutual success for Croatia and the United States,” Pandolfe said.  “It illustrates our growing efforts together at sea and ashore; teamwork that we will expand in the future.”

USS Mount Whitney is jointly operated by the U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command as a command ship that provides command and control for fleet commanders and serves as the flagship for U.S. 6th Fleet. The ship provides the capacity for a joint staff to plan a full range of U.S. military options.

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