[Elsiejay]

That small bomb- bearing craft, and any other small craft not identified and cleared should not have been allowed to approach within a specified perimeter, say, no nearer than 500 yards from the USS Cole, considering the threat inherent in the location in which she was moored. Failure to thus secure the ship constitutes dereliction of duty, probably at multiple levels in the chain of command, not excluding the Dept. of State and the Oval Office.

[ExcursionGuy84]

With the USS Cole, the terrorists had an easy shot at her because President Clinton had directed that USN vessals refuel within the Port of Yemen.

Previously, and most likely in effect again post September 11, 2001, the US & Coalition vessels would refuel away from UAE Ports.

[OldArmy52]

The U.S.Military typically does stupid things. Less so, as one gets towards the front lines. More so, as one approaches garrisons.

For example, at FLW we had M-16 armed soldiers on guard duty around some of the higher value warehouses. No nearby phone at the time. Each soldier had one magazine with only 3 rounds in it. That is all. 3 rounds total per soldier.

And of course the magazine had to be in the belt pouch, not in the gun.

Talk about being unprepared for trouble, courtesy the brass.

[snowrip]

Failure to thus secure the ship constitutes dereliction of duty, probably at multiple levels in the chain of command, not excluding the Dept. of State and the Oval Office especially including the State Department and Oval Office.

[OldFriend]

Slick willie actually honored the Commander of the USS Cole.