U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) departed her homeport in Gaeta, Italy, Oct. 7.

Mount Whitney will conduct theater security cooperation and key leader engagement events with allies and partners in the region, as well as provide planning support to European Command's computer-assisted exercise, Austere Challenge 17.

The ship's operations are meant to enhance maritime security, stability, readiness, and strengthen partnerships with allies and partners.

Quotes:

"The USS Mount Whitney maintains a high state of readiness as a forward-deployed naval asset supporting U.S. 6th Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. The ship's crew and the embarked staff are well trained and proficient at supporting the full spectrum of military operations, underpinning the shared commitment with our allies and partners to regional security and stability. USS Mount Whitney remains forward, engaged and ready." - Capt. Carlos A. Sardiello, commanding officer, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20)

Quick Facts:

The United States continues to demonstrate its commitment to the collective security of NATO allies and support for partners in Europe. All Department of Defense efforts in support of NATO allies in eastern Europe fall under the umbrella of Atlantic Resolve.

Mount Whitney, forward deployed to Gaeta, Italy, operates with a combined crew of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering and supply service operations, while military personnel support communications, weapons systems and security. It is one of only two seaborne joint command platforms in the U.S. Navy, both of which are forward deployed.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

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