[archy]

This port visit to a high threat port was a "show the flag" that CENTCOM wanted to make happen. Can somebody find and confirm that the USS COLE had sufficient fuel GOING INTO the port of Aden to make it to the Northern Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf. I had heard that the ship already had plenty of fuel on board.

Are you aware of which firm the fuel was purchased from, another likely reason the Cole was ordered to top up her tanks in a hostile port.

[Long Cut]

Were there ANY mud-puddles that wretched "administration" didn't wallow in?

I am not surprised in the least.

[Cboldt]

Are you aware of which firm the fuel was purchased from, another likely reason the Cole was ordered to top up her tanks in a hostile port.

According to the DOD report, the firm was "Arab Investment, Manufacturing and Trading Company." The contract was awarded on 29 Dec 1998, and was for a period of 9 Jun 1999 to 8 Jun 2004. 27 of 30 stops at this port were stops for fule (this was before the Cole incident)

From Command Investigation into the Actions of the USS Cole, page 16. This report used to be available online, but was removed from online access after 9/11/01.