The crew of the U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), held a ceremony honoring the U.S. Navy's 240th birthday, Oct. 13, 2015.

Sailors and Civilian Mariners stationed onboard the Blue Ridge Class flagship celebrated with a cake cutting ceremony held on the mess decks; the guest speaker of the cake cutting ceremony was Capt. Carlos Sardiello, Mount Whitney's commanding officer.

"Today we celebrate the 240th anniversary of the U.S. Navy's service to our nation. We all have different stories and come from all walks of life," said Sardiello. "As a team, we are Sailors and civilian Mariners with diverse talents and skills that are brought together for one goal. That goal is to meet the mission of the Mount Whitney by valuing, leveraging and developing the talent of each and every member of this crew," Sardiello continued.

"Today we give thanks to the Sailors, Navy civilians, and families past and present. We celebrate and recognize two centuries of American sea power that is forward, engaged and ready."

"I joined the Navy because I wanted to do something better with my life," said Interior Communications Electrician Seaman Kiara Morales Rivera. "I think it's really cool that we celebrate the Navy's birthday 240 years after its inception. I am really honored that I was chosen cut the cake with the captain, even if I was a little embarrassed to be the youngest Sailor onboard. It was still an amazing experience."

This year marks the 46th Navy birthday celebration held on the Mount Whitney.

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 US 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/.