USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) held a change of command ceremony before local dignitaries, distinguished guests and ship's officers, Sailors, and civilian mariners Oct. 6, 2015.

Capt. Carlos Sardiello relieved Capt. Mark Colombo as the 28th commanding officer of Mount Whitney.

Quotes:
"I am very happy to have been given the opportunity to lead such an amazing crew of Sailors. It has been an honor and privilege to be your commanding officer here on one of the most advanced ships in the United States Navy. Thank you to all MSC Mariners, and personnel who helped to see us through a nine month dry-dock period in Croatia, it was truly a testament to our strength and bonding as a crew and organization." - Capt. Mark Colombo, Previous Commanding Officer, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20)

"We will faithfully execute our mission, in partnership with the embarked C6F staff. We shall professionally and promptly respond to national tasking while providing a safe working environment conducive to the development of all hands." - Capt. Carlos Sardiello, Commanding Officer, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20)

Quick Facts:
Colombo was the 27th commanding officer of the Mount Whitney and served aboard for 15 months.

During his tenure as commanding officer the crew of the Mount Whitney was involved in several peace keeping operations throughout the Baltic region, and in Theoule-sur-Mer, France, where the flagship participated in commemorative events paying tribute to the 70th anniversary of the Allied invasion that led to the liberation of Southern France during World War II.

Colombo also oversaw a complete overhaul and renovation of the Mount Whitney during its dry dock period in Croatia.

Sardiello previously served as the Executive Officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

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/.