The Mount Whitney's arrival follows a visit by U.S. Navy Adm. Stuart Munsch, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa and Joint Force Command Naples, to Albania, where he met with Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, to discuss the United States and Albania's strong security partnership and commitment to the NATO Alliance.

During the Mount Whitney's visit, the ship hosted a reception for distinguished visitors, including the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj; Speaker of the Parliament of Albania, Elisa Spiropali; the Minister of Defense of Albania, Pirro Vengu; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani; and the Chief of Defense of Albania, Lt. Gen. Arben Kingji.

"Albania continues to be a vital partner in NATO operations, and our visit to Porto Romano underscores the strength of that alliance," said U.S. Navy Capt. Colin Price, commanding officer of USS Mount Whitney. "Team 20 is honored to be here and to continue building lasting connections with our Albanian Allies."

Mount Whitney is the first U.S. Navy warship to pull into Porto Romano in Durrës, Albania, marking the next stage in Albania's military modernization.

"The United States fully applauds and encourages Albania's development of a naval base with deep-water cargo port capabilities right here at Porto Romano," said U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Nancy VanHorn, who delivered remarks at the reception. "Albania's investment in fortifying Porto Romano will demonstrate to the region - and to all of Europe - Albania's ability to be a true leader in the NATO Alliance."

As the flagship of U.S. 6th Fleet, Mount Whitney supports naval combatants to deter regional adversaries, conduct naval operations in defense of the homeland, and defend the sovereignty of our partners and allies in Europe and Africa.

Mount Whitney, forward deployed to Gaeta, Italy, operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.

Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa, and freedom of navigation in and around the Mediterranean.