USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) departed Gaeta, Italy, to conduct unit level training in preparation for BALTOPS 2016, May 16.

BALTOPS is an annually recurring multinational exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability, as well as demonstrate resolve of allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region.

Quotes:

"The forward-deployed Mount Whitney Sailors and civilian mariners are dedicated to serving at sea; forward, ready, and engaged. We deploy today ready to meet all assigned tasks in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations." - Capt. Carlos A. Sardiello, commanding officer, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20)

Quick Facts:

The ship conducted flight operations shortly after leaving port, landing a MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, "Ghost Rider," from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 Det.1.

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 http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy/, or http://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/.