They never should have been in Yemen.
CENTCOM signed a refueling contract with a private company in Yemen, then provided that company with details on USS COLE’s arrival. Really intelligent move.
The US Navy did nothing to assist the next CVBG deploying to that area. My ship requested two specific items, and all we got was a phone call telling us to get back in our box, and a threat about our ‘unauthorized’ discussion with the Battle Group staff.
We purchased our own sniper rifle with private funds and took it with us. Now it’s in my safe.