British Royal navy Rear Adm. Timothy Lowe, right, deputy commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, speaks with British Royal Marines on board the amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) at the conclusion of exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2013. Now in its 41st year, BALTOPS 2013 is an annual multinational exercise to enhance maritime capabilities and interoperability with partner nations to promote maritime safety and security in the Baltic Sea.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA - Sailors assigned to the amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) practice their fire-fighting techniques while underway. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering and supply service operations, while military personnel aboard support communications, weapons systems and security.

The U.S. 6th Fleet flag ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) completed a two-month maintenance period at San Giorgio del Porto shipyard

LIGURIAN SEA - Military Sealift Command civil service mariners assigned to the amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) recover a rigid-hull inflatable boat following a man overboard drill. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering and supply service operations, while military personnel aboard support communications, weapons systems and security.

The crew of USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) and embarked U.S. 6th fleet staff gathered for a remembrance ceremony to honor those whose lives were lost during the terrorist attacks, Sept. 11.

GAETA, Italy - The crew of USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) and embarked U.S. 6th Fleet staff attends morning colors on the flightdeck of the ship as part of a ceremony to remember those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering, laundry and galley service operations while military personnel aboard support communications, weapons systems and security.

GAETA, Italy - Operations Specialist Seaman Apprentice Douglas Mellon, left, and Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Derek Pitre, right, prepare for morning colors on the flightdeck of USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). The crew aboard Mount Whitney and embarked U.S. 6th Fleet staff attended morning colors as part of a ceremony to remember those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering, laundry and galley service operations while military personnel aboard support communications, weapons systems and security.

TYRRHENIAN SEA – Civil service mariner David Prater, a rescue swimmer from USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), jumps from the ship during a swim call in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering, laundry and galley service operations while military personnel aboard support communications, weapons systems and security.

TYRRHENIAN SEA – Sailors stationed aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) conduct a swim call in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering, laundry and galley service operations while military personnel aboard support communications, weapons systems and security.

The U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), concluded a port visit to Theoule-sur-Mer, France, after taking part in several events honoring the 68th anniversary of the Liberation of Provence, Aug. 19.

THEOULE-SUR-MER, France - Capt. Ted Williams, commanding officer of USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), 2nd from left, and Master Chief Jonathon Carter, Mount Whitney's command master chief, 2nd from right, lay a wreath in front of Theoule-sur-Mer's town hall during a ceremony celebrating the 68th anniversary of the Liberation of Provence by allied forces during World War II. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering, laundry and galley service operations while military personnel aboard support communications, weapons systems and security.

THEOULE-SUR-MER, France – Sailors from USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), French army veterans and guests sail out to Pointe d’Esquillion for a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the Liberation of Provence by allied forces during World War II. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering, laundry and galley service operations while military personnel aboard support communications, weapons systems and security.

THEOULE-SUR-MER, France - Sailors from USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) stand in formation at the Cross of Lorraine monument as French army veterans bear flags commemorating the Liberation of Provence by allied forces during World War II. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering, laundry and galley service operations while military personnel aboard support communications, weapons systems and security.

The U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), welcomed more than 800 visitors while the ship was in their homeport of Gaeta, Italy, July 14.

GAETA, Italy - Capt. Ted Williams, commanding officer of USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), left, welcomes Cosimo Mitrano, mayor of Gaeta, right, as he arrives for a tour of the ship. More than 800 of Gaeta’s residents toured the Mount Whitney’s quarterdeck, bridge, flight deck and medical facilities as part of community outreach efforts. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners.

GAETA, Italy – Lt. Colin Dunlop, left, explains the ship’s capabilities to residents of Gaeta during a tour of the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). More than 800 of Gaeta’s residents toured the Mount Whitney’s quarterdeck, bridge, flight deck and medical facilities as part of community outreach efforts. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners.

GAETA, Italy – Sailors and residents of Gaeta socialize on the flight deck of USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) during a tour. More than 800 of Gaeta’s residents toured the Mount Whitney’s quarterdeck, bridge, flight deck and medical facilities as part of community outreach efforts. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners.

GAETA, Italy - Lt. Colin Dunlop, center, explains the ship’s capabilities to residents of Gaeta during a tour of the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). More than 800 of Gaeta’s residents toured the Mount Whitney’s quarterdeck, bridge, flight deck and medical facilities as part of community outreach efforts. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners.

Sailors from U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) joined civic leaders and military from Gaeta to commemorate American Independence Day with a flag-raising ceremony, July 4.

GAETA, Italy - Capt. Ted Williams, commanding officer of the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), left, hands Cosmo Mitrano, Mayor of Gaeta, an American flag during an Independence Day flag-raising ceremony. The flag-raising ceremony was the first time that the Mount Whitney's crew had joined civic leaders, civilians and military members from Gaeta to commemorate American Independence Day.

GAETA, Italy - Capt. Ted Williams, commanding officer of the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), center, and Cosmo Mitrano, mayor of Gaeta, render honors as Lt. Kevin Leiva, second from right, and Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 1st Class Jacob Wallace, right, raise the American flag during an Independence Day flag-raising ceremony. The flag-raising ceremony was the first time that the Mount Whitney's crew had joined civic leaders, civilians and military members from Gaeta to commemorate American Independence Day.

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.

Sailors and Military Sealift Command (MSC) civil service mariners aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), completed a four-day port visit to Theoule Sur Mer, Aug. 16.

The President of Lithuania and the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania arrived aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) for a short visit, Sep. 21.

LISBON, Portugal — Navy Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, and Allan J. Katz, U.S. ambassador to Portugal, co-hosted a reception for more than 250 distinguished guests aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) Aug 4.

USS MOUNT WHITNEY, Mediterranean Sea – Swedish Ambassador Veronika Wand-Danielsson, head of the Swedish mission to NATO, and Annika Engblom, a member of Swedish Parliament representing the Karlskrona area, visited USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) on June 9, in support of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise 2010.

USS MOUNT WHITNEY, Baltic Sea — Maritime forces from 12 countries joined each other to participate in the largest multinational naval exercise in the Baltic Sea June 7-19.

KLAIPEDA, Lithuania - USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) hosted a reception for the President of Lithuania and the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania during a three-day port visit here, June 1.

BAIE DE SEINE, France - In transit to the annual Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise in the Baltic Sea, USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) made a four-day visit to the waters off the coast of Normandy, May 23-26, to celebrate the historical significance of the battles of Midway and Normandy.