USS Cole Heads Out for First Overseas Deployment Since Bombing

AP | 11/29/03

[kattracks]

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - The USS Cole and its crew of 340 pulled out of port Saturday for the destroyer's first overseas deployment since it was bombed by terrorists three years ago in Yemen's port of Aden. A crowd of about 100 family members watched as the ship left the Naval Station Norfolk at 12:55 p.m.

"The families are sad to see their sailors leave, but they know they have a job," said Lt. j.g. Kelley Anderson, a Navy spokeswoman.

The guided-missile destroyer was brought back to the United States and underwent $250 million in repairs at Northrop Grumman's Ingalls shipyard in Mississippi following the Oct. 12, 2000, attack. Two suicide bombers had driven an explosive-packed boat into the side of the Cole, tearing a large hole in the ship.

The explosion killed 17 crew members, wounded 39 and nearly sank the destroyer.

Earlier this week, Yemeni security forces captured the suspected mastermind of the attack, Mohammed Hamdi al-Ahdal. A U.S. counterterrorism official in Washington who confirmed the Tuesday capture said al-Ahdal had been among the top 20 al-Qaida figures at large.

The Cole and two other destroyers in the Norfolk-based Surface Strike Group, the USS Thorn and USS Gonzalez, are now scheduled to head to the Mediterranean Sea for about six months, Anderson said. They officially are part of the Enterprise carrier strike group, which left in October.

The three ships had been scheduled to leave Friday, but 10-foot to 14-foot waves along its planned route prompted the Navy to delay the departure.

[gogipper]

In our paper the Cole bombing was described as the incident that began the war on terrorism. Watch how the liberal media rewrites history every day. The response to the Cole was sending FBI agents to Yemen. That's law enforcement not war. George Bush, not Bill Clinton rose to the threat of world-wide, state-sponsored terrorism

[MEG33]

Good grief.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

Clinton was the chief enabler of 911.

FReepers were even saying it that day on threads. It was that obvious.

[StriperSniper]

had been scheduled to leave Friday, but 10-foot to 14-foot waves along its planned route prompted the Navy to delay the departure.

Last year a Long Island shark tournament wasn't canceled in similar conditions!

(Granted, one boat was lost, but it was a 25' Grady White, big difference.)

[steve86]

The three ships had been scheduled to leave Friday, but 10-foot to 14-foot waves along its planned route prompted the Navy to delay the departure.

Other than the grammatical inconsistency, I wonder if 10-foot waves are really an insurmountable obstacle to a destroyer? If so, maybe the enemy could recruit a thousand Moslems to jump up and down on their side of the pond.

[snippy_about_it]

bump. Good to see her back in action.

[Jacquerie]

Yeah, for the cost to repair a nearly sunk Cole ($250 million) over three years, we now spend that much to buy a single aircraft, the F-22 Raptor!

[TalBlack]

Wow! Out of action for 3 years and a 250 million repair bill! Those miscreants got a SERIOUS amount of bang for their terrorist investment!

And we didn't even retaliate for the bombing.

They do this a few more times and they will do to us what Reagan did to the USSR: bankrupt us!

[ALOHA RONNIE]

WHY did there have to be...

...an Attempt to...

..'SINK the COLE'..

...the very day before...

...VP AL GORE was scheduled...

...to lose his 2nd Presidential...

...TV Debate in a row to...

...GEORGE W. BUSH..?


...I wonder if the Debate Sponsor...

...League of Women Voters...

...would have cancelled the Debate...

...if the COLE really had sunk,

don't you..

[Psycho_Bunny]

The USS Cole and its crew of 340 pulled out of port Saturday for the destroyer's first overseas deployment since it was bombed by terrorists three years ago in Yemen's port of Aden.

Go get some, baby! You've earned the right to fire in anger.

And good luck.

[MeanAsSnake]

...and to have the GM blast any small crafts which get with in 100 yards of the ship. Something they were not allowed to do last time! God Bless them and keep them.

[Mr. Silverback]

Sailor Doug Malott and girlfriend Rebekah Concuelo say their good-byes Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, in Norfolk, Va., as the USS Cole in the background prepares to leave the Norfolk Naval Station on it's first overseas deployment since it was bombed by terrorists three years ago in Yemen's port of Aden. (AP Photo/The Virginia-Pilot, Mark Mitchell)

The ship's namesake:

Sergeant Darrell Samuel Cole, United States Marine Corps Reserve (Deceased)

USS COLE (DDG 67) is the first warship named for Sergeant Darrell S. Cole, USMC (1920-1945). Sergeant Cole was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry in the campaign at Iwo Jima.

On August 25, 1941, Cole enlisted in the Marine Corps for the duration of the National Emergency. Following boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was appointed to the Field Music School for training as a Marine Corps Field Musician (a bugler). He was unhappy in his role of Field Musician, because he had joined a fighting outfit to fight. He had applied for a change in rating, but was refused due to the shortage of buglers. He completed instruction and was transferred to the First Marine Regiment, First Marine Division. On August 7, 1942, he reached the shores of Guadalcanal for the first American offensive of World War II, where he had an opportunity to fill in as a Machine Gunner in the absence of the regular gunner.

Cole completed his first overseas tour of duty and returned to the United States in February 1943 where he joined the First Batallion, Twenty-Third Marines, a part of the Fourth Marine Division at Camp Lejune, North Carolina. When the unit moved to California he again asked for relief as a Field Musician and for permission to perform line duties. Due to the shortage of buglers in the Marine Corps, his request was disapproved.

During the first engagement of the Fourth Division at Roi-Namur in the Kwajalein Atoll, Cole, again forsaking his bugle, went in to action as a Machine Gunner. Later, during the battle for Saipan, Cole was actually assigned to a machine gun unit and was even designated as a machine gun section leader. During the battle his squad leader was killed and Cole, although wounded, assumed command of the entire squad. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for "…his resolute leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and tenacious determination in the face of terrific opposition." He was also awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action.

A few days after the battle of Saipan, Cole again led his squad ashore in the invasion of the neighboring islands of Tinian. He continued to build his reputation as "The Fighting Field Musician."

After the Marianas campaigns, he resubmitted his request for a change of rating. This time his request was approved. He was redesignated Corporal "line" and was subsequently promoted to Sergeant in November 1944.

On February 19, 1945, Sergeant Cole led his machine gun section ashore in the D-Day assault of Iwo Jima. Moving forward with the initial assault wave, a hail of fire from two enemy emplacements halted his section's advance. Sergeant Cole personally destroyed them with hand grenades. His unit continued to advance until pinned down for a second time by enemy fire from three Japanese gun emplacements. One of these emplacements was silenced by Cole's machine guns. When his machine guns jammed, armed only with a pistol and one hand grenade, Sergeant Cole made a one-man attack against the two remaining gun emplacements. Twice he returned to his own lines for additional grenades and continued the attack under fierce enemy fire until he had succeeded in destroying the enemy strong points.

Upon returning to his own squad, he was instantly killed by an enemy grenade. By his one-man attack and heroic self-sacrifice, Sergeant Cole enabled his company to move forward against the fortifications and attain their ultimate objective.

The ship's coat of arms:

SHIELD
Dark Blue and gold represent sea faring excellence and are traditionally associated with the Navy. Red, for blood and courage, denotes Sergeant Cole's valor and sacrifice. A trident symbolizes sea prowess and COLE's modern warfare capabilities. The three tines represent surface, submarine, and air warfare capabilities. Three hand grenades commemorate Sergeant Cole's heroic one-man grenade attach against enemy emplacements during the assault on Iwo Jima. A broken chevron alludes to Sergeant Cole's breaking the enemy's hold, enabling his company to attain it's ultimate objective. The grenades also represent the traits courage, valor and honor, commemorating Sergeant Cole's fighting spirit and dedication.

CREST
A blue reversed star represents the Medal of Honor posthumously awarded to Sergeant Cole for his self-sacrifice and extraordinary heroism. The crossed navy sword and Marine Mameluke signify cooperation within and the fighting spirit of the Naval Service. A French horn combined with two swords underscores his service with the Marine Corps as a Field Musician and reminds us of his nickname, "The Fighting Field Musician." The laurel wreath is emblematic of honor and high achievement.

MOTTO
GLORIA MERCES VIRTUTIS
"GLORY IS THE REWARD OF VALOR" underscores the spirit of Sergeant Darrell S. Cole, his extraordinary heroism, his unwavering loyalty to his country, and his bravery in facing adversity without fear. "A DETERMINED WARRIOR"

Fair winds until you return, patriots of USS Cole!

[Monty22]

I hope they are really on the ball this time. islamics tend to not leave their targets standing (WTC).. And will come back to finish them off.

[doug from upland]

MIDI - END OF THE INNOCENCE

For several years they sang his song…he was a hero to their cause
In denial many lived…he placed himself up above the laws
He knew all of the right things to say…down through…hell and then back believers would go
In eight long years he's done to us…more damage than you know

For his neglect we would finally pay the price…the count's three thousand dead
We know just where to place the blame…it is on Bill Clinton's head
When the Cole was hit and brave men died…there is no doubt that he hadn't cried
He looked at his polls and sighed
Now this is the end…this is the end…of his legacy

At OKC he saw his chance…he needed to divide us all
He would create the vast right wing…and his mind-numbed fools would pick up the ball
So we'd fight among ourselves…and the…grand scheme had worked, he got his way
With our attention diverted he…would gut the CIA

For his neglect we would pay the price…the count's three thousand dead
We know just where to place the blame…it is on Bill Clinton's head
When the Cole was hit and brave men died…there is no doubt that he hadn't cried
He looked at his polls and sighed
Now this is the end…this is the end…of his legacy

We endured a psychopath…who saw himself as the Rockstar Prez
We had sent the warnings out…watch what this man does, not what he says

For neglect we paid the price…when those great buildings fell with many dead
And we know just where to place the blame…it's on Bill Clinton's head
When the Cole was hit and brave men died…there is no doubt that he hadn't cried
He looked at his polls and sighed
Now this is the end…this is the end…of his legacy

[ALOHA RONNIE]

NEVER FORGET

...The Presidential TV Debates Sponsoring League of Women Voters came within a eyelash of cancelling the 3rd and Final TV Encounter between GORE & BUSH in St. Louis, Missouri on the day of the Debate...

...the day after a plane crashed just outside St. Louis carrying the Governor of Missouri.

CLINTON M.O. =

"It's the TV, Stupid, no matter WHO pays for it"

...............still.


NEVER FORGET

[jrushing]

It's amazing that they carried this ship from Yemen to Pascagoula, Ms on a floating "dry dock" vessel. God bless our troops & Sgt. Cole.

Link

[StriperSniper]

I wonder if 10-foot waves are really an insurmountable obstacle to a destroyer?

Not even close, but it would make for a bit of a bumpy ride. My guess is they had either some ceremony that they didn't want messed up by a Gale, or all the provisions and stuff wasn't properly stowed yet and would have got messy. The ship wouldn't have any real problem with navigating in seas of that size, but the main deck would definately get very wet with the steep waves. I just checked and if they are heading SE, 150 miles out, seas are still 14.4', down from 17'. If they are heading ENE, about 250 miles out, seas are 23' and building. Due East, about 70 miles out, seas are 7.2' and falling.

[VOA]

Watch how the liberal media rewrites history every day. The response to the Cole
was sending FBI agents to Yemen. That's law enforcement not war.

I am so sorry I can't remember the name of the author of a book written about
the Clinton "response" to the Cole bombing.
I heard the author interviewed on talk radio (KRLA 870AM in Los Angeles, probably).
The author said that he'd managed to get personal interviews with each of the
Clinton appointees who met to consider the "response" to the incident (there were something
like 5-10 people in attendance).

But the most chilling thing was that the actual security official interviewed said
that he detailed the attack, likely link to Osama, and course of action. This guy thought
"Yes, I've made the case and we're going after the terrorists who did this!".

However, as the discussion worked it's way around the table, it turned out that
the security official was the ONLY one in favor of real action. All the others
(including Madaleine Albright, IIRC) had "reasons" for not forcefully responding.

[StriperSniper]

If the day before didn't work, try the day of.

Thanks for pointing out those "coincidences", I never thought about them.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for the ping, Ronnie ~ and the pics and articles, Mr. Silverback, kattracks.
~~~~~~~~~~

The USS Cole heading out to join its Enterprise Carrier Group in the Mediterranean, days after the lowlife who plotted to murder our Sailors in Yemen lost his freedom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[StriperSniper]

the name of the author of a book written about the Clinton "response"

Was it Richard Miniter who wrote Losing Bin Laden?

[VOA]

Was it Richard Miniter who wrote Losing Bin Laden?

Dang it, Miniter sounds familiar...but I just can't be sure.

Anyway, what did get me was the author describing this high-level meeting in
an elegantly wood-paneled room...that came to NOTHING>

Since 9-11, we've seen the flip-side of the coin!

[BluH2o]

Last year a Long Island shark tournament wasn't canceled in similar conditions!

Granted 12 to 14 waves aren't a major challenge, especially if you're not sailing directly in to them ... however, if you are, then certain considerations come into play ... such as crew comfort in the first days of a deployment (this falls under getting your sea legs) ... or waiting 24 hours for better conditions and easily making up the time as a result of calmer seas. On the other end of the spectrum ... a sail boat waiting a day or two for good air before departing on a voyage. Only landlubbers sit around and make the calls on this type of experienced decision on the part of a ship or sailing vessel captain. My sailing resume includes eight Atlantic crossings ... six on Navy ships, two on a 15 meter yacht.

[prairiebreeze]

God speed USS Cole!!

Prairie

[StriperSniper]

Yeah, yeah, I know. Actually a little later in this thread I made somewhat similar arguments. I've been out in mild Gales with 6-8' in a 22' walkaround, and done overnights to the shelf edge in Febuary in 8-10's on a 90'er, neither very pleasant. And your definately right about making up that time. In that 22'er in the Gale, a 40 mile hour and a half trip took about three, with a dual 5 mile tack to keep from pounding us to death(worse than we did ;-). If you look at my Post#18, I did a little checking and the conditions may have been far worse than the article said was predicted depending on course.

No need to subject crew and ship to an unnecessary beating if there was no need. ;-)

[StriperSniper]

The author said that he'd managed to get personal interviews with each of the Clinton appointees who met to consider the "response" to the incident

That was the line that made me think it was Miniter's book(I haven't read it yet) since he went into lots of detail about his sources in an interview with Mark Levin. And there can't be too many who got that kind of access to all those type of people.

[MeanAsSnake]

These things are not good to hear for one who's first born is on his first duty on the Cole. The poor soul was on an Aircraft Carrier (the TR). In rough seas he can say good-bye to his cookies!

[StriperSniper]

I'm sure it will be fine for him. He's got high pressue building on his stern as the storm that riled up the seas and blew(50 knots last night and today) through my way up by NYC, is moving rapidly toward Nova Scotia. The Cole is a beautiful ship, I've seen one of her sister vessels heading out under the Verrazano as I was returning to dock. I'm sure they have their course well planned for this since they did put the delay in for conditions. :)

When you speak to him next, make sure to thank him for his service from all us fishing bums in NY Harbor, because I know everyone at the marina appreciates it. :)

[Paulus Invictus]

It is the right book and the details are on pages 222-229. Among those opposed to a strike against Bin Laden training camps were Albright, Cohen, Reno, the CIA (Tenet no less!), the FBI and most Pentagon bigwigs. Above them all were the two Klintoons, the masters of do-nothing-to-upset-the-Arabs strategists. The words "despicable murderers" fit them and their admin supporters perfectly.

[VOA]

Thanks for filling in the blanks.

I can surely blame my memory lapse on the ANGER I felt as I heard about this
"Profiles In Cowardice" episode.

Too bad it won't make it into any Hollyweird docudrama of the story of how
the war on terrorism was eventually won...

[ALOHA RONNIE]

...And now we know why HILLARY refused 3 Offers from the Sudan during the 1990's to hand over to US our No. 1 Terrorist Enemy OSAMA bin LADEN on a Silver Platter.

'..HILLARY & TERRORISM's plan to regain the White House..'

http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1022571/posts?page=28

[maica]

One superstition that I really lived by was not to start a sea voyage on a Friday! Maybe some in Norfolk were feeling the same way about the Cole's new beginning!

[steve86]

I didn't think so but very good points you make (all).

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[MetalHeadConservative35]

The USS Cole and its crew of 340 pulled out of port Saturday for the destroyer's first overseas deployment since it was bombed by terrorists three years ago in Yemen's port of Aden.

payback's a bitch..go get em USS Cole

[blackie]

USS Cole Heads Out for First Overseas Deployment Since Bombing ~ Bump!

[STARWISE]

THIS EAGLE SOARS AGAIN

Nov. 29 2003 NORFOLK, Va. -- USS Cole and its crew of 340 pulled out of port for the destroyer's first overseas deployment since it was bombed by terrorists three years ago in Yemen's port of Aden. The Cole and two other destroyers in the Norfolk-based Surface Strike Group, the USS Thorn and USS Gonzalez, are now scheduled to head to the Mediterranean Sea for about 6 months. They officially are part of the Enterprise carrier strike group, which left in October.

USS Cole sets sail April 19, after 14 months of repairs with many new features, including 17 stars laid in the hallway floor &emdash; one for each of the 17 sailors killed by a terrorist explosion in Yemen - Posted April 18, 2002

(I have no idea if "&emdash" is a typo or what it is.)

********

Godspeed, USS Cole ... God bless your crew and your mission.

Anyone have an up-to-date count of the blood on the Clinton's hands??? May the bad karma they've created be rewarded in our lifetimes.

God bless our brave military .. fighting, suffering and dying for our safety and freedom at this very moment. Amen.

[prairiebreeze]

Pictorial reminders of the Clinton administrations dereliction of duty.

GodSpeed USS Cole!

Prairie

[At _War_With_Liberals]

Thanks. The Cole incident is a no no to the media. Good to see this.

[STARWISE]

Godspeed Ping!

[Alamo-Girl]

Buuuump!

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the ping. I still get so damn mad when I think of how the Cole was set up and forgotten about by the Clintoons.

Then I believe the crew of the Cole lost their right to vote for the president in the election a few weeks later.

The Rats were all concerned that some double dipping senior citizens may have had hanging chads, and they never said one damn word about military personnel around the world losing their votes do to tricks played by the rats.

[blackie]

Godspeed, USS Cole ... God bless your crew and your mission ~ Bump!

[Mr. Silverback]

She's a stout ship. I understand that a portion of
the "Battle Stations" graduation exercise at Navy Basic
Training is now based on the experience of the Cole crew.

From this week's Useful Idiot Caption-A-Rama:

This week’s Caption-A-Rama is dedicated to the gallant crew of
USS Cole, who left their families behind this week to again go
to sea in defense of our nation.

The Cole is named for Sergeant Darrell S. Cole, USMC,
who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously after
attacking 4 Japanese machine gun nests on Saipan armed only
with a pistol and grenades. Ironically, the wounds that killed
him were received after his attack had been successfully completed,
allowing his unit to move forward to their objective.

The Cole’s motto is Gloria Merces Virtutis: “Glory Is The Reward Of Valor.”
As the crew of the Cole says themselves on their website,
this motto “underscores the spirit of Sergeant Darrell S. Cole,
his extraordinary heroism, his unwavering loyalty to his country,
and his bravery in facing adversity without fear.”
We know they will live up to that motto,
and the finest traditions and values of the naval service.
Fair winds until you return, men and women of the Cole.

[Mr. Silverback]

Oh man, I got my threads confused! I didn't realize I'd posted that already! D'OH!!