By Cmdr. Scott Miller, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe – Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs
SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine (NNS) -- The amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) arrived in the port of Sevastopol, Ukraine, Nov. 6, in preparation for the begining of this year's Black Sea Partnership Cruise (BSPC), Nov. 10.
In conjuction with the arrival of his flagship, the Commander of the U.S 6th Fleet, Vice Adm. Bruce W. Clingan, met with the Ukrainian First Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Vice Adm. Vladimir Maximov.
The visit is the second Black Sea engagement in a week, following meetings, Nov. 2, by Clingan with the chief of Romanian Naval Forces in Constanta, Romania, on the topic of Black Sea maritime partnerships.
"In the wake of a productive visit to Romania just last week, we're fortunate to have this opportunity to meet with our Ukrainian partners. I'm grateful for the strong ties that exist between our nations and our militaries, and I am confident that our cooperative efforts in the Black Sea are realizing the idea of Global Maritime Partnerships and achieving greater regional stability and security," said Clingan.
The official calls by Clingan and port visits by Mount Whitney are a prelude to the upcoming, U.S. 6th Fleet-led BSPC, an annual multinational event designed to strengthen ongoing partnerships and enhance interoperability among Black Sea nations. During the event, Mount Whitney will serve as an underway training platform.
While in port Sevastopol, a reception will be held aboard Mount Whitney for Ukrainian military and civic leaders. Additionally, 17 Ukrainian naval personnel will embark the ship to participate in the BSPC, which commences Nov.10.
Sixty-five representatives from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Ukraine and the United States will participate in the BSPC evolution this year. The at-sea period includes workshops for helicopter control operations, junior officer and noncommissioned officer development, interoperability discussions, and an oil spill containment scenario.
Mount Whitney, home ported in Gaeta, Italy, is the third U.S. 6th Fleet ship to visit Sevastopol since August, when USCGC Dallas made a port call here following the offload of 34 tons of humanitarian assistance to Georgia in support of Operation Assured Delivery. In September, USNS Pathfinder visited Sevastopol in conjunction with oceanographic survey being conducted at the request of Ukraine; Pathfinder found and identified fifteen shipwrecks in the country's territorial waters.
U.S. 6th Fleet assets routinely operate in the Black Sea to further develop partnerships, to enhance interoperability, and to promote regional maritime safety and security.