U.S. 6th Fleet Marks 75 Years: A Double Celebration with Navy’s 250th Birthday!

The U.S. 6th Fleet marked a significant milestone by celebrating its 75th anniversary alongside the Navy’s 250th birthday aboard its flagship, the USS Mount Whitney, on February 12, 2025. This hallmark event underscored the Fleet’s long-standing role in maintaining maritime security and stability across Europe and Africa.

Established on February 12, 1950, as U.S. Naval Forces, Mediterranean, the Sixth Fleet has evolved into a vital military entity that supports regional security. Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson lauded the legacy of sailors who have promoted peace and stability in these waters. He emphasized the Fleet’s unwavering commitment to defending national interests and advancing the principles of freedom, signifying its importance as a cornerstone of U.S. naval presence in the region.

Throughout its history, the Sixth Fleet has played a pivotal role in reinforcing transatlantic security by bolstering NATO alliances and fostering partnership capacities. It actively engages with partners to ensure legal maritime activities, promote trade, and strengthen alliances.

This year, the celebration coincides with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy, which has been instrumental in promoting global peace and security. The Navy, with its Sixth Fleet, remains a formidable force in safeguarding the American way of life, deploying skilled sailors across European and African waters.

The city of Gaeta was home to the U.S. Sixth Fleet from 1967 to 2005 before its unification with U.S. Naval Forces Europe in Naples, Italy. Notably, Pope Pius IX’s visit to the USS Constitution in Gaeta in 1849 marked a historic maritime encounter, being the first time a Pope visited sovereign U.S. territory.

Appointed as the Sixth Fleet’s flagship in 2005, Mount Whitney continues to be instrumental in coordinating U.S. and NATO maritime operations. Captain Colin Price, who took command of the ship on January 31, publicly recognized the ship’s pivotal role in providing strategic decision-making support to Vice Adm. Anderson and his team.

Operating from its headquarters in Naples, Italy, the Sixth Fleet engages in comprehensive naval operations, collaborating closely with allies and interagency partners to advance U.S. interests across Europe and Africa. Its mission remains critical in maintaining security and stability in these strategic regions.