USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20): Commanding the Seas

The USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) is a Blue Ridge-class amphibious command and control ship, serving as one of the most sophisticated vessels in the U.S. Navy. Commissioned on January 16, 1971, the ship is named after Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, symbolizing its towering role in naval operations.

Designed as a floating command center, the Mount Whitney is equipped with advanced communications, intelligence, and electronic warfare systems, enabling it to serve as the flagship for naval operations. With a displacement of approximately 18,400 tons and a complement of over 500 crew members and embarked staff, the ship can coordinate complex missions across the globe.

Homeported in Gaeta, Italy, as part of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, the Mount Whitney has been a vital asset in managing maritime operations in the Mediterranean, Africa, and beyond. Its cutting-edge C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) systems provide real-time battlefield awareness, making it a key component in joint and allied operations.

The USS Mount Whitney has participated in numerous humanitarian and military missions, including disaster relief efforts and peacekeeping operations. As a testament to its versatility and importance, the ship has served as the command center for NATO operations and U.S. Navy exercises, ensuring seamless coordination among international forces.

Uniquely capable and constantly modernized, the Mount Whitney is not only a hub of communication and strategy but also a symbol of U.S. naval strength and global leadership. With over five decades of service, it continues to play a crucial role in shaping the operational success of the U.S. Navy and its allies, maintaining peace and security on the high seas.

  • Joined the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) on May 7th, 1992 in Norfolk Virginia.

  • Junko’s visit to Washington D.C.

  • February, 1993 Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

  • February 28th, Nassau Bahamas.

  • June 10th, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

  • September 17th, Stavanger, Norway.

  • September 20th, Kiel, Germany.

  • September 27th, Cobh, Ireland.

  • March 16th, 1994, Savannah, Georgia for the St Patrick’s Day street party.

  • March 23rd, Morehead City, North Carolina to pick my Dad and Brother for a Tiger Cruise back to Norfolk.

  • Discharged from the US Navy late May, 1994