Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Oscar - Golf - Bravo
 NOGB
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation (2) - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2) - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (11)
Second Row - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Third Row - Kosovo Service Medal (2) - Global War on Terrorism Service Medal - United Nations Medal
Blue Ridge Class Command Ship/Joint Command Ship/Amphibious Force Command Ship:
  • Originally authorized as AGC-20
  • Reclassified LCC-20, 1 January 1969
  • Laid down, 8 January 1969, at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock, Newport News, VA.
  • Launched, 8 January 1970
  • Commissioned USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), 16 January 1971, CAPT. Orlie G. Baird USN, in command
  • USS Mount Whitney serves as the flagship for Commander Sixth Fleet and is homeported at Gaeta, Italy
  • USS Mount Whitney is jointly manned by US Navy and Military Sealift Command (MSC) personnel. The ship is under the command by a Navy officer with a Navy mission crew . MSC mariners make up the crew in the navigation, deck, engineering, laundry and food services departments
    Specifications:
    Displacement 17,000 t,
    Length 620'
    Beam 82'
    Draft 27'
    Speed 20 kts.
    Complement
    Crew 777
    Staff 869
    Armament
    Super RBOC chaff rockets
    two 25mm Bushmaster guns
    four 50 cal. Machine guns
    two 20mm Phalanx (CIWS)
    Propulsion
    two boilers
    one geared steam turbine
    one propeller shaft, 20,000 shaft horsepower
    >
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Mount Whitney
    100120103    		 468k
    Namesake
    Mount Whitney is the highest mountain in the contiguous United States and the Sierra Nevada, with an elevation of 14,505 feet.] It is in East–Central California, on the boundary between California's Inyo and Tulare counties, 84.6 miles (136.2 km)[8] west-northwest of North America's lowest point, Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, at 282 ft. below sea level. The mountain's west slope is in Sequoia National Park and the summit is the southern terminus of the John Muir Trail. The eastern slopes are in Inyo National Forest in Inyo County. (Wikipedia)
    Unknown author, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 1.0 Generic (CC BY 1.0)/font>    		 Tommy Trampp
    Mount Whitney 421k Mount Whitney (LCC-20) on the builders ways at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Newport News, VA. in December 1969, a couple of weeks before launching. Dale Hargrave
    Mount Whitney 449k Mount Whitney (LCC-20) ready for launching, 8 January 1970, at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Newport News, VA.
    Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock photo.    		 Dale Hargrave
    Mount Whitney 717k Mrs. William I. Martin, wife of VADM Martin, Deputy Commander-in-Chief, US Atlantic Fleet, Christens Mount Whitney (LCC-20) during the ships launching, 8 January 1970, at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Newport News, VA.
    Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock photo.    		 Dale Hargrave
    Mount Whitney 130k Mount Whitney (LCC-20) fitting out in March 1970 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock. Photo by Dale Hargrave
    Mount Whitney 70k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) commissioning, 16 January 1971.
    US Navy photo    		  
    Blue Ridge 84k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) and USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) underway in the Atlantic, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "NAVSEA Journal."    		 Bob Bush
    Mount Whitney 74k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		  
    Mount Whitney 57k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) under way with the assistance of tugs, date and location unknown.
    Photo by Patrick D'Agostino.    		 Robert Hurst
    Mount Whitney 43k Bow view of USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) moored at the Oostelijke Handelskade pier in the harbor at Amsterdam, The Netherlands, circa 1971. Robert Ruiter
    Mount Whitney 40k Stern view of USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) moored at the Oostelijke Handelskade pier in the harbor at Amsterdam, The Netherlands, circa 1971. Robert Ruiter
    Mount Whitney 40k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) moored starboard side to at the Oostelijke Handelskade pier in the harbor at Amsterdam, The Netherlands, circa 1971. Robert Ruiter
    Mount Whitney 95k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) moored at Naval Station Norfolk, 15 June 1974. Photo by Dale Hargrave
    Mount Whitney 95k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) moored at Naval Station Norfolk, 15 June 1974. Photo by Dale Hargrave
    Mount Whitney 141k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) underway in New York Harbor for the Bicentennial Naval Review, 4 July 1976.
    US National Archives Photo # USN 1167316, a US Navy photo from the US Naval History and heritage Command    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Mount Whitney 82k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Wendell Royce McLaughlin Jr.
    Mount Whitney 83k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) moored pierside at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in June 1979. Preparing for an availability.
    Photo from the shipyard newspaper "Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Beacon" Vol.37 No.41, June 8, 1979.    		 Ron Reeves
    Mount Whitney 88k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) under way during an Atlantic deployment, circa 1980.
    US Navy photo    		 Robert Hurst
    Mount Whitney 82k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) docking/undocking, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 .
    Mount Whitney 127k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 .
    Mount Whitney 61k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) at NavSta Norfolk VA., date unknown.
    US Navy photo    		  
    Mount Whitney 124k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) underway, overhead view, date and location unknown. Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Mount Whitney
    10012095    		 165k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) underway, overhead view, off Norfolk, VA., date unknown.
    © Nobe Smith.    		 Nicholas Tiberio
    Mount Whitney
    10012096    		 120k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) underway, date and location unknown. Nicholas Tiberio
    Mount Whitney
    10012097    		 697k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) underway, date and location unknown. Nicholas Tiberio
    Mount Whitney
    10012098    		 163k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) underway, date and location unknown. Nicholas Tiberio
    Mount Whitney
    100120100    		 345k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) underway, date and location unknown. Nicholas Tiberio
    Mount Whitney
    100120101    		 275k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) underway, date and location unknown. Nicholas Tiberio
    Mount Whitney
    100120108    		 4299k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) arriving/departing, February 1990, location unknown. Photo by CAPT. Mark Heilenday, USN Ret.
    Mount Whitney 76k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) in the harbor at Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 2001. Derek Strahan
    Mount Whitney 91k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), flagship to Vice Adm. Michael G. Mullen, Commander, Second Fleet and the Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic, underway in the Atlantic Ocean while participating in Joint Task Force Exercise 01-3 (JTFEX) with other US Navy ships and Marines along with Air Force, and Army units, 15 August 2001.
    US Navy photo # 010815-N-2743B-001 by PH1 Joe Bullinger.    		 Bill Gonyo
    Mount Whitney 163k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), the Second Fleet Flagship, underway while participating in Joint Task Force Exercise 01-3.
    US Navy photo # 010815-N-2743B-005 by PH1 Joe Bullinger.    		 Navy NewsStand
    Mount Whitney 90k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) underway while a US Navy CH-46 "Sea Knight" helicopter patrols the area around the ship. 3 January 2003
    US Navy photo # 1-030103-N-0000K-001 from the Navy Newsstand web site.    		 Bernard A. Cardali USN, USS LST-308
    Mount Whitney 789k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) lights off her on board Counter Measure Wash Down System (CMWDS). The CMWDS is used to help the ship combat a Chemical, Biological or Radiological (CBR) weapons attack. Mount Whitney and her embarked Marines are deployed to the Horn of Africa region to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom and the continuing war on terrorism.
    US Navy photo # 030205-N-4294K-001 Horn of Africa (Feb. 5, 2003) by PH2 George Kusner.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Mount Whitney 1403k A small rainbow cascades across the 2nd Fleet command and control shipUSS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) as she tests her Counter Measure Wash Down System (CMWDS). The wash-down system is used to help the ship combat a Chemical, Biological or Radiological attack. Mount Whitney and embarked Marines are deployed to the Horn of Africa region to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and the continuing Global War on Terrorism.
    US Navy photo # 030205-N-4294K-002 Horn of Africa (Feb. 5, 2003) by PH2 George Kusner.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Mount Whitney 392k A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to the "Ironhorse" of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron Four Sixty One (HMH-461) lands on the flight deck of USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20). Mount Whitney and HMH-461 are deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).
    US Marine Corps photo # 030429-M-0000M-001 Gulf of Aden (Apr 29, 2003) by Cpl. Andrew W. Miller.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Mount Whitney 347k Tugs assist USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) to the pier, completing a seven-month deployment as the flagship of Commander, Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). The most sophisticated command, control, communications, computer and intelligence (C4I) ship ever commissioned, Mount Whitney incorporates various elements of the most advanced C4I equipment available today. Mount Whitney departed November 12, 2002, in support of the ongoing war on terrorism and Operation Enduring Freedom.
    US Navy photo # 030613-N-6607P-001 Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Jun. 13, 2003) by PH3 Delia Pettit.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Mount Whitney 1928k A line handling detail assists with mooring operations for USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) as she returns to her homeport of Naval Station Norfolk. Mount Whitney completed a seven-month deployment as the flagship of Commander, Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).
    US Navy photo # 030613-N-6925C-012 Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Jun. 13, 2003 by PHC Thomas Coffelt.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Mount Whitney 536k Family and friends gather at Pier 11 welcoming home USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) as she returns to her homeport of Naval Station Norfolk. Mount Whitney completed a seven-month deployment as the flagship of Commander, Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).
    US Navy photo # 030613-N-6925C-010 Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Jun. 13, 2003) by PHC Thomas Coffelt.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Mount Whitney 274k A port bow view of the amphibious command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) as she steams away from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S.Truman (CVN-75).
    US Navy photo # 040620-N-4308O-044 Atlantic Ocean (June 20, 2004) by PHAN Ryan O'Connor.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Mount Whitney 382k A starboard bow view of the amphibious command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) conducting operations along the East Coast.
    US Navy photo # 040620-N-4308O-056 Atlantic Ocean (June 20, 2004) by PHAN Ryan O'Connor.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Mount Whitney 565k A waterline port bow view of the amphibious command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) moored at Naval Station Norfolk.
    US Navy photo # 040801-N-0295M-011 Norfolk Naval Station, Va. (Aug. 1, 2004) by PH2 Daniel J. McLain.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Mount Whitney 54k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) pulls away from its berth at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., as she begins her journey to Italy to relieve the command ship USS La Salle (AGF 3) as the Commander Sixth Fleet flagship. Mount Whitney served for more than 30 years as the command ship for Commander Second Fleet/NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic.
    US Navy photo # 050114-N-5027S-003 by PH2 Robert M Schalk.    		 US Navy NewsStand
    Mount Whitney 69k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) pulls into Gaeta Harbor in Italy. Mount Whitney is scheduled to replace the command ship USS La Salle (AGF 3) as the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship during February 2005.
    US Navy photo # 050201-N-4178C-001 by JO1 Bruce Cummins.    		 Jack Treutle
    Mount Whitney 989k CAPT. Christopher Wode, USN, commanding officer of USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) , VADM. Harry Ulrich, Commander US Navy 6th Fleet, and CAPT. Herman Shelanski, commanding officer of USS La Salle (AGF 3), salute during a change of ship ceremony in Gaeta, Italy, 25 February 2005. Mount Whitney, with a hybrid crew of 300 military and civilian personnel, is VADM. Ulrich’s new flagship.
    US Navy photo by PH2 Sarah Bir     		Bill Gonyo
    Mount Whitney 1255k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) and USS La Salle (AGF 3) are moored alongside each other in Gaeta, Italy, following a change of command ship ceremony, 25 February 2005. Mount Whitney is the new command ship for the US Navy’s 6th Fleet, and La Salle is scheduled for decommissioning shortly after her return to Norfolk, VA.
    US Navy photo by PH3 Dwayne C. Minor.    		 Bill Gonyo
    Mount Whitney 306k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) and the Russian navy landing ship Kaliningrad (LSTM 102) are under way in formation on the second day of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise.
    US Navy photo # 100608-N-3970R-426    		 Robert Hurst
    Mount Whitney 1763k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) anchored between Naples, Italy and Mt. Vesuvius. Mount Whitney replaced command ship USS La Salle (AGF 3) as the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship. Mount Whitney served for more than 30 years as the command ship for Commander 2nd Fleet/NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic prior to relieving La Salle.
    Department of Defense photo # 070718-D-7203T-003 TYRRHENIAN SEA (July 18, 2007) by Cherie A. Thurlby.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Mount Whitney 2737k The U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) leads a NATO Response Force off the Italian coast of Sardinia during exercise Destined Glory (Loyal Midas) 2005. In the foreground is the Turkish frigate TCG Mauvenet (F-250), formerly USS Capodanno (FF-1093). The exercise is a medium-scale NATO amphibious live exercise designed to certify selected NATO units and assigned forces. U.S. participation is to enhance the training for NATO partners, provide training for U.S. forces and to show U.S. commitment.
    US Navy photo # 051007-N-0057D-210 Mediterranean Sea (Oct. 6, 2005) by PH1 Timm Duckworth.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Mount Whitney 847k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) arrives in Souda harbor, 18 September 2007, for a brief port visit on Greece's largest island.
    US Navy photo # 070918-N-0780F-001 SOUDA BAY, Crete, Greece (Sept. 18, 2007) by Mr. Paul Farley.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney 323k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) arrives in Souda Bay, Crete for a routine visit, 28 August 2008. Mount Whitney, departed her homeport at Gaeta, Italy, with humanitarian aid supplies destined for the Republic of Georgia. Upon departing Souda Bay Mount Whitney will transit to the Black Sea for the delivery of her humanitarian cargo to the Republic of Georgia.
    US Navy photo # 080828-N-0780F-001 SOUDA BAY, Crete, Greece (Aug. 28 2008) by Mr. Paul Farley.    		 Robert Hurst
    Mount Whitney 621k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) departs Souda harbor following a routine port call. Mount Whitney is homeported in Gaeta, Italy, where she recently received humanitarian aid supplies destined for the Republic of Georgia. Mount Whitney is transiting to the Black Sea for delivery of the humanitarian assistance cargo to the Republic of Georgia.
    US Navy photo # 080901-N-0780F-001 SOUDA BAY, Crete (Sept. 1, 2008) by Mr. Paul Farley.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Mount Whitney 665k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) in Augusta Bay, Italy to provide command and control for Exercise "Noble Midas '08", 26 September 2008 Photos by Primo Acireale
    Mount Whitney 670k
    Mount Whitney 668k
    Mount Whitney 671k
    Mount Whitney 197k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) departs Sevastopol, Ukraine, 7 November 2008. Photo by Eugene Ivkin
    Mount Whitney 2030k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) is moored at Gaeta's Harbor. Mount Whitney is the flagship for Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet.
    US Navy photo # 090129-N-4044H-072 GAETA, Italy (Jan. 29, 2009) by MC3 Eddie Harrison    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney 1658k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) is in the Mediterranean Sea supporting Austere Challenge 2009, a joint evolution designed to exercise U.S. capability across the full range of military operations in the European theater.
    US Navy photo # 090131-N-4044H-037 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Jan. 31, 2009) by MC3 Eddie Harrison.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney
    10012093    		 163k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) moored pierside at Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 6 March 2010. Photo by José Antonio Rodríguez Carreño
    Mount Whitney 357k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) moored pierside at Palma Mallorca, 17 July 2010 Photo by Jose A. Rodriguez
    Mount Whitney 204k Workers from the Viktor Lenac shipyard clean and repaint the hull of USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) during a scheduled maintenance period in Croatia. Mount Whitney is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and is operated by U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners.
    US Navy photo # 111031-N-PE825-014 RIJEKA, Croatia (Oct. 31, 2011) by MC2 Collin Turner.    		 Tommy Trampp
    Mount Whitney 1785k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) begins her transition from dry dock to pierside at Viktor Lenac shipyard. Mount Whitney is the US 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a hybrid crew of US Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners.
    US Navy photo # 111109-N-PE825-521 RIJEKA, Croatia (Nov. 9, 2011) by MC2 Collin Turner.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney 486k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) arrives at Marathi NATO Pier facility for a routine port visit. Mount Whitney is conducting theater and maritime security operations as the flagship of the U.S. 6th Fleet.
    US Navy photo # 120228-N-ZB122-004 SOUDA BAY, Greece (Feb. 28, 2012) by MCSN Chelsy Alamina.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney 1431k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) moored pierside for repairs at Genoa, Italy, 14 March 2013. Photos by Carlo Martinelli
    Mount Whitney 1327k
    Mount Whitney 1645k
    Mount Whitney 260k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) sailors man the rails as the ship returns to port following a two-month cruise to the Baltic Sea in support of exercise Baltic Operations 2013.
    US Navy photo # 130704-N-PE825-011 GAETA, Italy (July 4, 2013) by MC1 Collin Turner.    		 Lee Wahler
    Leroy Grumman
    131028-N-PE825-104    		 444k USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO-195) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). Mount Whitney is underway in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
    US Navy photo # 131028-N-PE825-104 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 28, 2013) by MC1 Collin Turner.
    US Navy photo # 131028-N-UE250-260 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 28, 2013) by Corey Hensley.    		 Lee Wahler
    Leroy Grumman
    131028-N-UE250-260    		 252k
    Mount Whitney 239k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) anchored in the Tagus River at Lisbon, Portugal, during the Strike Force NATO exercise Trident Jaguar.
    US Navy photo # 140504-N-BG563-001 LISBON, Portugal (May 4, 2014) by LCDR. Scott "Smoke" Moak.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney 272k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) anchored off the coast of Theoule-sur-Mer, France. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is in Theoule-sur-Mer to participate in the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Operation Dragoon, which led to the liberation of southern France by Allied Forces during World War II.
    US Navy photo # 140813-N-UE250-089 GULF OF NAPOULE (Aug, 13, 2014) by MC2 Corey Hensley.    		 Ron Reeves
    Mount Whitney 182k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) underway in the Black Sea. Mount Whitney, forward-deployed to Gaeta, Italy, is conducting naval operations in the US 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of US national security interests in Europe.
    Navy photo # 141013-N-IY142-001 BLACK SEA (Oct. 13, 2014) by MC2 John Herman.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney 267k Mechanics from the Viktor Lenac shipyard begin working on the U.S. 6TH Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) as she begins the dry dock process and reconstruction in Rijeka, Croatia.
    Navy photo # 150119-N-VY489-136 RIJEKA, Croatia (Jan. 19, 2015) by MC2 Mike Wright.    		 Ron Reeves
    Mount Whitney 167k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) participating in a photex, while preparing for the Tactical Phase of exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE. Mount Whitney is accompanied by the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F363), center, and the Royal Navy Albion-class assault ship HMS Bulwark (L 15), 29 October 2015.
    US Navy Photo # 20151029-PRTN-2590P-240-3 by CPO J.Parracho (PRT Navy).    		 Robert Hurst
    Mount Whitney 196k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) prepares to depart Augusta Bay, Sicily, after completing a scheduled refueling and stores replenishment. Mount Whitney, forward deployed to Gaeta, Italy, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. National security interest in Europe.
    Navy photo # 160127-N-VY489-016 AUGUSTA BAY, Sicily (Jan. 27, 2016) by MC1 Mike Wright.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney 309k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) ridding at anchor off Villefranche on the French Riviera, May 2016.
    		Photo by Gilles Perez, with permission
    Mount Whitney
    100120109    		 99k A Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 MV-22B Osprey lands on the flight deck of USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), in the Mediterranean Sea, 23 May 2016. This is the first time in history that an Osprey has landed on a Blue Ridge-class Amphibious command ship.
    Photo from www.picryl.com by United States Sixth Fleet    		 John Spivey
    Mount Whitney 160k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) flagship of U.S. 6th Fleet, moored in her homeport, Gaeta, Italy, 9 December 2017. Mount Whitney operates with a combined crew of U.S. Navy sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners.
    US Navy photo # 171209-N-QM497-001 GAETA, Italy (Dec. 9, 2017) by IC3 Rebeca Gibson.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney 188k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) sails in formation during exercise Sea Breeze 2018 in the Black Sea, July 13, 2018. Sea Breeze is a U.S. and Ukraine co-hosted multinational maritime exercise held in the Black Sea and is designed to enhance interoperability of participating nations and strengthen Maritime security within the region.
    US Navy photo # 180713-N-XT273-1252 BLACK SEA (July 13, 2018) by MC1 Justin Stumberg.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney 247k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) under way in the North Sea, 20 Oct. 2018. Mount Whitney, forward-deployed to Gaeta, Italy, operates with a combined crew of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners.
    US Navy photo # 181020-N-KA046-0383 NORTH SEA (Oct. 20, 2018) by MC2 James R. Turner.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney 283k USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) flies the battle ensign from the main mast while underway. Mount Whitney, forward-deployed to Gaeta, Italy, operates with a combined crew of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners.
    US Navy photo # 190319-N-BT677-0067 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 20, 2019) by MC3 Jonathan Word.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney
    10012017    		 214k USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20)'s crew participates in a memorial ceremony off the coast of Normandy, France while in the English Channel, 26 May 2020. Mount Whitney is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, homeported in Gaeta, and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners.
    US Navy photo # 200526-N-BM428-0078 NORMANDY, France (May 26, 2020) by MC2 Damon Grosvenor.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney
    10012091    		 397k USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) operates in the Baltic Sea during BALTOPS 2020, 8 June 2020. BALTOPS is the premier annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic region, enhancing flexibility and interoperability among allied and partner nations.
    US Navy photo # 200608-N-NO901-0021 BALTIC SEA (June 8, 2020) courtesy German Navy    		 Lee Wahler
    Mount Whitney
    100120104    		 148k USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) moored pierside at Kiel Germany, 16-17 June 2023. Photos by Lukusz Blaszczak wobiektywieshipspottera.blogspot.com/
    Mount Whitney
    100120105    		 156k
    Mount Whitney
    100120106    		 150k
    Mount Whitney
    100120107    		 215k
    USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) Memorabilia
    Mount Whitney
    Commissioning Program Cover
    Contributed by
    Robert M. Cieri    		 Mount Whitney
    Intelligence Dept. Patch
    Contributed by
    Robert M. Cieri

    For more photos and information about USS Mount Whitney, see:
  • Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
  • Histories/Command Operations Reports
  • USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20)
  • US Navy Fact File - Amphibious Command Ships - LCC
    • Commanding Officers
    01CAPT. Baird, Orlie Gordon, USN 16 January 1971 - 5 January 1973
    02CAPT. Dunn, Robert Francis, USN (1951) :VADM5 January 1973 - 22 June 1974
    03CAPT. Bibby III, Lowe Haydn, USN (USNA 1951)22 June 1974 - 12 June 1976
    04CAPT. Burris, Raymond Merle 12 June 1976 - 2 September 1977
    05CAPT. Kingston, John James 2 September 1977 - 26 January 1980
    06CAPT. Smith, Vernon Charles, USN :RADM 26 January 1980 - 10 October 1981
    07CAPT. Bennett, David Michael, USN :VADM10 October 1981 - 22 April 1983
    08CAPT. Johnson Jr., Robert Cecil, USN22 April 1983 - 1 March 1985
    09CAPT. Lubbs, Larry Lee, USN (USNA 1961)1 March 1985 - 20 January 1987
    10CAPT. Turner Jr., Laurence Hay, USN 20 January 1987 - 15 February1989
    11CAPT. Kenyon, Morton William 15 February 1989 - 3 April 1991
    12CAPT. Brewer III, David Lawren, USN :VADM3 April 1991 - 5 December 1992
    13CAPT. Branch, Malcolm Parker, USN 5 December 1992 - 26 May 1994
    14CAPT. Kendall, Gene Roger :RADM26 May 1994 - 18 August 1995
    15CAPT. Enderly, Richard Harold, USN (USNA 1971)18 August 1995 - 30 July 1997
    16CAPT. Poplar III, James Roswell, USN30 July 1997 - 17 May 1999
    17CAPT. Jenkins II, Martin Edward, USN 17 May 1999 - 17 July .2001
    18CAPT. Prothero, David William, USN (USNA 1979) 17 July 2001 - 13 August 2003
    19CAPT. Wode, Christopher Mark13 August 2003 - 25 February 2005
    20 CAPT. Wheeler, Charles Ladd, USN25 February 2005 - 26 April 2006
    21CAPT. Kuzmick, Joseph William, USN (USNA 1981) :RADM26 April 2006 - 18 January 2008
    22CAPT. Honors Jr., Owen Paul, USN (USNA 1983)18 January 2008 - 17 April 2009
    23CAPT. Thomas, Karl Owen, USN :VADM17 April 2009 - 12 August 2010
    24CAPT. Ruth, Jeffery Scott (Doc), USN (USNA 1986) :RADM12 August 2010 - 7 September 2011
    25CAPT. Williams, Ted Raymond (Bench), USN (USNA 1987)7 September 2011 - 19 November 2012
    26CAPT. Clapperton, Craig A. (Clap), USN :VADM19 November 2012 - 17 July 2014
    27CAPT. Colombo, Mark James, USN (USNA 1991)17 July 2014 - 6 October 2016
    28CAPT. Sardiello, Carlos Abel, USN (USNA 1990) :RADM6 October 2016 - 1 December 2016
    29CAPT. Hakimzadeh, Kavon (Hak), USN :RADM1 December 2016 - 25 January 2018
    30CAPT. Aguilar, George Robert, USN25 January 2018 - 25 April 2019
    31CAPT. Norman, Cassidy Clayton (Dudley), USN ;RADM25 April 2019 - 15 June 2020
    32CAPT. Pollard, David-Tavis M. (Dave), USN (USNA 1996)15 June 2020 - 31 August 2021
    33CAPT. Prochazka, Daniel R. (Prozac), USN31 August 2021 - 11 April 2023
    34CAPT. Kiser, Matthew J. USN11 April 2023 -  
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Amphibious Command Ship (LCC) Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 1 November 2024