The USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), a Blue Ridge-class command and control ship, arrived in Souda Bay, Greece, on March 10, 2025, for a scheduled port visit, reinforcing the strong partnership between the United States and Greece, according to a U.S. Navy press release.
During the visit, the ship’s crew will participate in volunteer activities, engage with the local community, and experience Greek culture, highlighting the U.S. Navy’s commitment to regional stability and strengthening alliances in the Mediterranean.
“Team 20 is thrilled to be back in Greece, a vital partner for our ship and a cornerstone of our regional presence,” said Capt. Colin Price, commanding officer of USS Mount Whitney. “Working together with our Greek allies is essential for maintaining a strong and ready force, committed to maritime security in the region.”
The visit will provide opportunities for U.S. sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners aboard the Mount Whitney to take part in community relations events, further deepening the bonds between the U.S. Navy and the Greek community.
The USS Mount Whitney is currently operating within the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, where its crew and embarked staff work alongside allies and partners in support of maritime security operations, naval diplomacy, and regional cooperation.
As the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, the Mount Whitney plays a key role in supporting naval operations and fostering international partnerships. The ship, which is forward deployed to Gaeta, Italy, operates with a combined crew of U.S. sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners, supporting U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
The U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, is responsible for conducting the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often coordinating with allied and interagency partners to promote security and stability in Europe and Africa.
I can’t help thinking that the USA has some real issues trying to replace the older ships and other equipment especially given China’s incredible progress these last few years. This Ship is 55 years old now, so many more are really dated, so much was wasted on LCS and DDG, Constellation Class seems to be out of control, Trump seems to want to cut spending, no real progress on the 6th gen Fighter, B52 heading for it’s centenary. Many Western Allies re assessing the purchase of American weapons and systems, all looks to be a mega maga clusterfeck of issues.
Hope he doesn’t chop F35 though, we’d be in deep poo poo with the one trick pony Carriers.
RAF RAFale’s anyone ?
I get paid over $220 per hour working from home with 2 kids at home. I never thought I would be able to do it but my best friend earns over $35,000 a month….➤➤➤ CLICK ON PROFILE
The fact is the US sticks to same old, same old for way to long, there is a point where the law of diminishing returns vs a clean sheet new system should kick in. And I don’t know if it’s the Pork Belly Political system (keep the jobs in my constituency or lose my vote) or the revolving door of recruitment between the Military and Defence contractors.
But there is an ex USAFE Gent who may have an opinion.
NAVY still building ABs, so many failed projects and Billion flushed down the Loo they struggle to fund replacements !
Army entire AFV fleet is stuck in the 70’s, SPG is a 1961 design and out of date.
Airforce The A10, B1, B52, F16, F15 are all old designs and cost a fortune to update and maintain. But just keep on rolling all that money into them rather than develop new designs. IMHO the biggest issue is the US is incapable of accepting the idea of openly inviting foreign designs to compete with any hope of success.
USMC Hope at last, they are used to working on a lower budget but think outside of the box, divesting themselves of armour, legacy systems and really embracing distributed war fighting.
Missiles Where do you start ? Standard missile is just about maxed out let’s face it it’s the developed front end of the Terrier RIM-2 first tested in 1953 from the test Battleship Mississippi.
And on the other hand we have us in Europe. We dispense with designs and go to clean sheet designs way too often and pay for them by gapping the actual capability’s.
Does anyone disagree that still having an upgraded Tornado in service for SEAD and as a long range missile carrying strike aircraft wouldn’t be a very handy capability to still have in service. Same for C130 !
But no we get rid, lose the capability and never seem to be able to adequately replace them.
And we are effectively doing the same right now with the Typhoon to pay for GCAP or F35.
For me I think the USN have a good handle on these particular ships. Two in class based on the hull of the Iwo Jima class. Receive regular maintenance in various yards and have a planned out of service date of 2039.
If that was the UK it would take years to design a new hull and 10 committees at least. One would be sold of in the first ten years or parked up.
For these two ships the major upgrades will be ongoing and in the business end for them electronics.
55 years old and still seaworthy.
And we are scrapping frigates just over 30 years old. It just shows what is possible if you plan the longer term and spend the money on a build quality.
The Mount Whitney is currently commanded by Farva Price of Twitter fame, who had previously been the “Big XO” of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) during her recent deployment to the Red Sea. I think it ticks a box as a deep draft command, as a step to commanding his own carrier.