MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Nov. 3, 2023) The U.S. Sixth Fleet command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) leads the Italian navy frigates Carlo Margottini (F 592) and Virginio Fasan (F 591) and U.S. Navy ships from the Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Groups in the Mediterranean Sea, Nov. 3, 2023. The IKE and Ford carrier strike groups are operating in the region at the direction of the Secretary of Defense to bolster deterrence.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Keith Nowak)