The U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Limassol, Cyprus, for a scheduled port visit, Feb. 26.

This port visit, along with U.S. Navy and Cypriote military participation, will serve as a building block to promote enhanced and long lasting relations between the United States and Cyprus.

Quotes:

"The USS Mount Whitney Sailors and civilian mariners are excited to be able to visit Limassol, Cyprus. We look forward to meeting the people of Cyprus and experience the culture. The crew also looks forward to training with Republic of Cyprus personnel in a planned multinational search and rescue exercise to ensure interoperability, cooperation, and effective response at sea. Through collaboration on our common interests, we strengthen our partnership." - Capt. Carlos Sardiello, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) commanding officer

"I am excited to visit the port of Limassol, and see all the port city has to offer, as are many of the crew members on board the USS Mount Whitney. Working alongside the Mount Whitney Sailors and 6th Fleet staff has given the civilian mariners a chance to see many new places. It's a great opportunity to support the mission of the Mount Whitney by providing all engineering, navigation and hospitality while underway for port visits such as this." - Mr. Raymond Donnelly, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) chief mate

Quick Facts:

While in Cyprus, Mount Whitney is scheduled to host distinguished guests and city officials at a dinner reception aboard the flagship, and partake in various tours and community outreach projects supported by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation team.

Sailors will be contributing to the local Cypriote community by painting and gardening at the Theotokos Foundation and the Saint Loukas Parents Association, in Limassol.

Strengthening alliances during the port visit to Limassol demonstrates the shared commitment we have to promote safety and stability within the region, while seeking opportunities to enhance our interoperability with our partners like Cyrpus.

Mount Whitney is currently underway conducting unit-level training, performing duties as the fleet command and control ship, and working to strengthen ties with partners and allies in the region.

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