During the embark, the staff and Mount Whitney’s military-civilian combined crew exercised underway conditions while commanding and controlling fleet-wide distributed maritime operations.

“This embarked underway was an ideal environment to test the unique capabilities of our staff and flagship,” said Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander of U.S. 6th Fleet. "We’ve again demonstrated that we are able to command thousands of Sailors, as well as numerous ships, submarines and aircraft across a vast expanse of battlespace from USS Mount Whitney.”

Unique to Blue-Ridge class ships, Mount Whitney’s command and control systems allow designated staff to plan, coordinate, and direct the employment of forces to maintain mission readiness; build working relationships with Allies and partners; protect U.S. citizens and U.S. interests; and re-establish deterrence in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

"Mount Whitney is the most capable command and control ship to ever sail the seas because of the hard work and professionalism from Team 20," said Capt. Colin Price, the ship's commanding officer. "Our ability to support the 6th Fleet Commander and his staff to run fleet operations on day one is a testament to the outstanding teamwork from everyone on the ship and the staff."

This eight-day embark followed Mount Whitney’s recent operations in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility where it supported exercise Obangame Express 2025 in Cabo Verde and conducted several port visits in Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania, hosting key leader engagements with national government and military leaders to build stronger relationships.

USS Mount Whitney will also participate in exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2025, an annual joint, multinational maritime-focused exercise this summer, designed to demonstrate European leadership in defending the Baltic Sea region while enhancing interoperability among Allied and partner forces.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts a full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with Allies, in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa.