Posted on 06/08/2006 6:53:41 AM PDT by finnman69
NORFOLK, Va. -- The USS Cole leaves Norfolk, Va., for the Middle East today for the first time since the ship was attacked in Yemen, killing 17 sailors.
Terrorists bombed the Cole as it was refueling in Yemen's port of Aden on Oct. 12, 2000. Those killed included two crewmembers from Washington County, Md., Patrick Roy and Craig Wibberley.
No sailors from that crew are still on the ship. But many sailors in the current crew asked to be assigned to the Cole and said they're unafraid to deploy to that region.
Command Master Chief Pat Reynolds of Lubbock, Texas, requested duty on the Cole in part because he was impressed with the crew's ability to come together to save the ship.
Reynolds said he can't wait to deploy to show the world that, in his words, "we mean business."
The Cole is one of six ships and a submarine with 6,000 sailors and Marines leaving the East Coast this week to conduct security operations in support of the war on terrorism. They'll be gone six months.
The Cole spent six months in the Mediterranean Sea in 2003 and 2004.
Go get 'em Cole!
remember: you have a score to settle. seventeen to be exact.
Yes, it's sort of justice.
Iran will take notice.
Any chance they can give the COLE an hourglass or egg timer with Kablooie's ashes in it as a keepsake?
Safe sailing!
Is the Cole sailing on her own, or is she part of a surface action group or a carrier task force?
Smooth sailing, Cole. We love yah.
The Cole is one of six ships and a submarine with 6,000 sailors and Marines leaving the East Coast this week to conduct security operations in support of the war on terrorism. They'll be gone six months.
Because Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky no longer occupy the White House.
So, why is there a tent over the forward 5-inch gun mount? Or am I just seeing things? All sorts of crap on the stern decks as well. hmmm
If we had retaliated appropriately after the Cole incident, 911 would not have happened. The legacy of the Cole should have been the saving of 3000+ American lives.
Thanks BJ Clinton
Jeez, with 6,000 Sailors and Marines, that submarine is gonna be cramped.
..good eyesight for an Old Seadog....! that picture is probably not a current one... too much clutter on the after deck area for it to be setting out to sea; certainly not a part of the Special Sea and Anchor Detail... and that "tent" over that forward 5-inch mount IS interesting. Probably something erected over it when it was in the yards for re-fitting....? Anyway, God speed USS COLE....! if we hadn't had such a spineless SOB for a President at that time, the COLE probably would not have lost the 17 men and women who were killed outright and the 100 or so of the COLE's crew who were injured...... whatta scumbag....!!
Go get 'em Cole
Likely as not, part of a MEU deployment, GATOR Navy at work today.
Thanks!
Have you visited the ship's website? Its namesake was one helluva man. Take a look at it.
I have even touched the SLC-32 (EW suite) antenna set while it was in for refurshment at the vendors factory.
Interesting ship all around, I wish them fair winds and following seas.
"The USS Cole leaves Norfolk, Va., for the Middle East today for the first time since the ship was attacked in Yemen, killing 17 sailors."
Under the command of a different captain, I hope.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.