USS Mount Whitney's Montenegro Visit Strengthens Partnership

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The Blue Ridge-class command and control ship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), arrived in Bar, Montenegro, on September 2nd for a scheduled port visit, underscoring the strong and enduring partnership between the United States and Montenegro and the two nations' commitment to regional security.

During the Mount Whitney's visit, the ship will host a reception for distinguished visitors including the U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro, Judy Rising Reinke, Chief of Defense of Montenegro, Brigadier General Miodrag Vuksanovic, and Chief of Navy of Montenegro, Commander Milan Jevtovic.

"This port visit to Montenegro is an important opportunity to enhance maritime security cooperation," said Capt. Colin Price, commanding officer of USS Mount Whitney. "Team 20 is excited to engage with our Montenegrin counterparts, share expertise, and further develop our partnership in ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment in the Adriatic Sea."

Mount Whitney Sailors will also be participating in community relations events, such as volunteer work at an animal shelter, a basketball game with Montenegrin locals, and a concert held by the U.S. Navy Band.

As the U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship, Mount Whitney supports naval combatants to deter regional adversaries, conduct naval operations in defense of the homeland, and defend the sovereignty of our partners and allies in Europe and Africa.

Mount Whitney, forward deployed to Gaeta, Italy, operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.

Commander, 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 to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.