RIGA, Latvia –
The Blue Ridge-class command and control ship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), arrived in Riga, Latvia, on June 27, 2025, for a scheduled port visit, underscoring the strong and enduring partnership between the United States and Latvia and the two nations’ commitment to regional security.
During its stay, Mount Whitney will hold a reception for other distinguished Latvian officials, including Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia; Andris Sprūds, Minister of Defense of Latvia; Rear Admiral (LH) Maris Polencs, Chief of the Latvian Naval Forces; and Ambassador Christopher Robinson. The reception will provide an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic ties and discuss continued cooperation on matters of mutual security interest.
“Team 20’s presence here in Riga is a tangible demonstration of the U.S. commitment to Latvia's security and the defense of the Baltic Sea region," said Capt. Colin Price, commanding officer of USS Mount Whitney. "We are honored to welcome our Latvian partners aboard Mount Whitney and to continue to strengthening our partnership.”
This visit follows the successful completion of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 25, the premier annual maritime-focused military exercise in the Baltic region. BALTOPS provides NATO allies a unique opportunity to train together, strengthen interoperability and demonstrate collective readiness to defend the Alliance and preserve freedom of navigation in the region. The 20-day exercise included more than 40 ships, 25 aircraft, and approximately 9,000 personnel and involved 16 NATO nations, including Latvia.
Mount Whitney’s visit to Riga further represents the U.S. Navy's commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships in the Baltic Sea region and promoting maritime security.
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.