The flagship of the United States Sixth Fleet has docked in the Lithuanian port of Klaipėda in what American officials are describing as a tangible demonstration of Washington's security commitment to the Baltic state.
USS Mount Whitney, a Blue Ridge-class command and control ship, arrived on Tuesday and is due to depart around June 27. The vessel, 189 metres long and displacing nearly 20,000 tonnes at full load, serves as the primary command and control platform for US naval operations in Europe.
"This ship sends a very powerful message: that our alliance is ironclad, that the United States is committed to Lithuanian security, and that commitment is non-negotiable," US Ambassador to Lithuania Kara C. McDonald said at the port.
She added that the visit underlined the multi-domain nature of the US-Lithuanian defence relationship. "It is not just about troops on the ground, though we remain absolutely dedicated to those, it also includes the maritime dimension."
Rear Admiral Jason Naidyhorski, vice commander of the US Sixth Fleet, said the ship's presence demonstrated both America's commitment to deterrence in the Baltic Sea region and its ability to command Sixth Fleet operations from wherever the vessel sails.
