The USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) is one of two Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ships of the U.S. Navy. The vessel was laid down in 1969, launched in 1970, commissioned in 1971, and carried the world's most sophisticated electronics suites of those times. She was armed with modern electronic facilities for her mission as a command ship, and the highly refined communications system completed her radical new design. An integral part of this innovative design was the clean topside area, which minimized the ship's interference with her own communications system - an important feature, as the Navy’s long-range communications relied heavily on high-frequency radio systems in the 1970s. The carrier was the flagship for Commander Second Fleet/Commander Striking Fleet Atlantic from 1971 to 2005. She was redesignated LCC/JCC 20 in February 2005 in Gaeta, Italy, where she assumed duties as the 6th Fleet flagship. During the 2015-2019 Extended Life Service Program, the ship underwent removal and disposal of 21 tons of asbestos insulation. Since asbestos was present on the USS Mount Whitney, those who served on the ship before the asbestos removal were inevitably exposed and may potentially develop severe asbestos-related diseases.
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