USS Mount Whitney, Georgian Coast Guard vessels perform underway engagement

The US Navy’s Blue Ridge class 6th Fleet command and control vessel USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) has bilaterally engaged with Georgian Coast Guard patrol vessels Tsonte Dadiani (P-101) and General Mazniashvili (P-102) as part of Passing Exercise (PASSEX).

Conducted as part of successive at-sea scenarios aimed at improving maritime capabilities among participating nations, the bilateral engagements include fleet manoeuvres, daylight landing qualifications, division tactics and communication exercises, including a publication exercise.

USS Mount Whitney operations officer lieutenant commander Benjamin Nehrke said: "I think that formation steaming and tactical manoeuvres like this provide excellent opportunities to conduct bilateral operations with one another."

As part of the engagement, Georgian Coast Guard personnel were trained on anti-terrorism force protection (ATFP), damage control, first aid, tactical signals, and emergency action procedures.

ATFP demonstration and familiarisation is aimed at improving a Force Protection team’s knowledge and ability to properly execute laws of engagement, non-lethal weapons, hand-to-hand combat, fire-fighting, and basic first aid.

Chief machinist Mate Jonathon Sarmiento said: "The techniques and tactics we’re sharing will be vital for saving lives and enhancing our damage control skills.

"I enjoy sharing knowledge with our counterparts since we are both working toward the same goal of serving our countries and contributing to the mission at hand.

Mount Whitney has been carrying out naval operations in the US 6th Fleet area of operations for US national security interests in Europe.

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Image: USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) takes part in Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with vessels from the Georgian Coast guard. Photo: courtesy of Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mike Wright.