The guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) returned to Naval Station Norfolk July 18 after a six-month deployment with the British Royal Navy's HMS Illustrious Carrier Strike Group, as part of Operation Orion 2008.
Cole's Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Michael Pfarrer explained it was a unique arrangement for an American warship to sail under a foreign country's battle group. During the deployment, both sides learned a great deal from each other.
"We worked well together in different areas of warfare. This has been a great opportunity for us, and we noticed that we have many common tactics. Great Britain is probably one of our closest allies right now."
Pfarrer noted there were slight operational differences between the Cole and the foreign nations.
"One of the biggest differences we had were our meal hours. The British like to eat at 1 p.m., and we ate at 11 a.m. You just have to work out the simple things, in the big scheme of things it's necessary for us. We have to know how to integrate ourselves into a foreign battle group."
While deployed, Cole's main role was air defense commander, but it also conducted maritime interception operations, took part in operations off the coast of Lebanon and participated in a joint Baltic nations exercise known as BALTOPS 08.
"BALTOPS is an event that most Baltic nations, as well as some others, participate in," said Pfarrer. "This was the first year in a very long time the Russians conducted amphibious landings supported by the British and Germans. We provided air defense and mine warfare."
He also said some Cole Sailors had the opportunity to cross deck to the other ships in the battle group.
"It was a learning experience understanding how the other ships' equipment operates," said Quartermaster 2nd Class(SW) Jesse Lui. "I found that English was predominant in pretty much every navy."
Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class (SW) Erika Burrell had the unique opportunity for an over night embark aboard HMS Illustrious (R06), a British Royal Navy aircraft carrier.
"We were able to bring back a lot of knowledge, and knowledge is the key. They have different terms for different things than we do. I don't think it was necessarily better or worse, things were just arranged differently."
Burrell said she was able to bring those terms and procedures back to Cole so her shipmates could better understand how Illustrious operates. This also helped improve communication between the two ships.
Pfarrer said even though this cruise was a unique one, it didn't change the Navy's overall mission.
"Even though we were with a foreign battle group, we carried out the mission of the U.S. You just can't downplay the importance of our presence in various parts of the world. Not only are we out there to bring the sword, but we are also there to help."
The Cole also participated in several other international exercises, including Exercise Phoenix with the Royal Navy Trafalgar-class submarine HMS Trafalgar (S107).