The Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) completes the anti-terrorism force protection (AT/FP) certification 1.3 and 1.4, Nov. 16, 2017.

Afloat Training Group (ATG) Atlantic inspectors evaluated Mount Whitney Sailors in multiple mission sets and watch stations to test the crew's level of knowledge and reaction force team skills during a variety of drills.

"We are all responsible for protecting the ship," said Lt. j.g. Adam Renquinha, anti-terrorism officer aboard Mount Whitney. "I think we came off this yard period and performed incredibly well, through the hard work of our leadership and training of our Sailors. We look forward to continue training and preparing for being underway."

The certification was the capstone of months of training led by Mount Whitney's anti-terrorism training team.

"Our training team has done an outstanding job preparing the crew for not only these drills, but potential real-life threats throughout the area of operation," said Renquinha.

Mount Whitney's completion of the certification means the crew has the necessary knowledge and skills to confidently communicate and defend the ship from attacks.

Renquinha said AT/FP is one of six mission areas that must maintain high proficiency throughout the maintenance and shakedown phases of a ship's deployment cycle. Other mission areas include medical, damage control, maintenance material management (3M), supply and explosive safety.

Mount Whitney departed Naval Station Rota, Spain, Nov. 17, to transit back to forward-deployed port Gaeta, Italy.

Mount Whitney, with a combined crew of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners, operates in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

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, in order to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.