[Cboldt]

If the Navy had sufficient AO's to refuel ships at sea the Cole would never had to go into port to refuel in the first place.

That's another good point. I heard, but haven't followed up to confirm, that she was half full, and the port call was NOT necessary. Rather, the port call was to show some sort of show of goodwill, e.g., "We'll buy YOUR fuel."

[Cboldt]

Cboldt: I heard, but haven't followed up to confirm, that she was half full, and the port call was NOT necessary.

The order for fuel was 220,000 gallons of F-76. Yemen was ranked as "HIGH" in threat level before the Cole made port (CRITICAL is the only greater threat level).

[btcusn]

That's another good point. I heard, but haven't followed up to confirm, that she was half full, and the port call was NOT necessary.
The Navy gets REAL intrested if your fuel gets below 50%.
Jack