APRIL 22, 2025 – The Blue Ridge-class command and control ship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), arrived in Libya for scheduled port visits, April 20-21, in support of enduring U.S.-Libya cooperation and regional security. While in Libya, Mount Whitney visited both Tripoli and Benghazi for key engagements with leaders from across the country.
Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, Ambassador Richard Norland, the U.S. special envoy for Libya and Mr. Richard Brandt, Chargé d’Affaires, pose with key Libyan military and civilian officials during a key leadership engagement aboard the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) in Benghazi, Libya, April 21, 2025.Download Icon Download
As the flagship of U.S. 6th Fleet, Mount Whitney plays a key role in maritime security and cooperation throughout the Mediterranean and African theaters. This visit underscores the United States’ commitment to a unified, stable, and sovereign Libya through military-to-military engagements and diplomatic outreach.
“Advancing regional stability and global peace is a priority for the United States,” said U.S. Special Envoy Ambassador Norland. “Our presence in key Libyan ports aboard the U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship demonstrates our commitment to working side by side with Libyan partners throughout the country to preserve Libya’s peace and stability.”
The visit reflects growing engagement with Libya by U.S. Africa Command and the Libya External Office (LEO), and promotes interoperability, regional maritime security, and counterterrorism cooperation. The United States supports Libya’s sovereignty and Libyan-led efforts in building toward a single defense institution that secures the country’s borders and protects its people from malign actors.
In recent years, U.S. Africa Command and the LEO have increased engagement with Libyan partners across all regions of the country. This trip builds on ongoing efforts to bolster Libya’s military institutions, promote civilian oversight of the armed forces, and assist with inclusive security sector reform.
“This visit demonstrates the United States’ continued investment in a peaceful and unified Libya,” Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Vice Adm. J. T. Anderson said. “We are proud to engage with Libyan leaders and our defense counterparts to support shared goals of security, sovereignty, and institutional unity.”
As the U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship, 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.
From U.S. Embassy Libya
U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs