Official reception was held on the U.S. Sixth Fleet (SIXTHFLT) Command Ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), which is currently visiting the Georgian territorial waters. In Batumi, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, and high-ranking guests, along with the Head of MIA Border Police, Major General Nikoloz Sharadze, attended the reception. The Commander of the SIXTHFLT, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Navy in Europe and Africa, Vice-Admiral Gene Black, Commanding Officer of USS Mount Whitney, Daniel Prochazka, and U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan, hosted the guests.

Minister of Defence, Juansher Burchuladze, Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Zalkaliani, Chairman of the Defence and Security Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, Irakli Beraia, Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Tornike Rizhvadze, and Director of the Coast Guard Department, CAPT Ramaz Papidze, also attended the official reception.

The guests took part in a tour organized by the crew and were briefed about the USS Mount Whitney by its Commanding Officer.

SIXTHFLT ships USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) and USS Porter (DDG 78) entered the Georgian territorial waters on November 8.

The visit highlights the important relations between NATO allies and Georgia, as a key partner in the Black Sea region. It also reaffirms the successful cooperation between the United States and Georgia and aims to strengthen maritime security, ensure the stability of U.S. regional partners, and increase maritime readiness and capabilities.

The ships USS Mount Whitney and USS Porter are operating in the SIXTHFLT area of operations. The SIXTHFLT, based in Naples, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations in concert with allies and partners to promote security and stability in Europe and Africa.