The U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), got underway Oct. 9, in support of Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operations in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

This is the first underway evolution that the flagship has participated in since returning from dry dock in Rijeka, Croatia, after a nine-month maintenance period.

Quotes:

"I am elated to be back on the open ocean again. This underway movement will give us the opportunity to show the fleet why we are the most advanced communications ship in the Navy. I am also looking forward to help strengthening the bond between us and our NATO and coalition partners."

- Lt. Peter Downes, operations officer, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20)

Quick Facts:

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/.