U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) departed Limassol, Cyprus, after a successful port visit Feb. 29.

During the visit, Sailors hosted ship tours, participated in two community relations (COMREL) projects, and held a reception aboard the ship.

Quote:
"The service projects out in the community and the events we held on board show how much this hybrid [military-civilian] crew values being ambassadors and in building friendships in places we visit. I'm proud of the whole team. We were thankful for the hospitality of the Cypriot people and look forward to coming back. "
-Command Master Chief Matt Dickinson, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20)

Quick Facts:
Vice Adm. James Foggo III, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, and the Honorable Kathleen Doherty, U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, hosted a reception aboard Mount Whitney for Cypriot military and government officials, in order to further strengthen ties between U.S. and Cyprus.

Sailors from Mount Whitney and the embarked U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet (CNE-CNA/C6F) staff volunteered at Cypriot community organizations Theotokos Foundation and the St. Loukas Parents Association for Adults with Disabilities during the ship's port visit, Feb. 27.

Mount Whitney made the port visit in Cyprus in order to enhance U.S.-Cyprus relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous region.

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 www.navy.mil/.