USS Cole Deploys from Naval Station Norfolk

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class, guided missile destroyer, USS Cole (DDG 67) deployed from Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 8 for a scheduled seven-month deployment to the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf area of operations.

The ship will conduct maritime security operations in the region, working with international maritime forces to ensure security and awareness in the maritime domain.

"The Cole is a wonderful ship. It has a great history and a lot of people associate the bombing with us," said Cmdr. Edward Devinney, Cole's commanding officer. "We honor the 17 Sailors that we lost, those heroes, and the nearly 300 that fought and kept the ship from further damage for four days. This crew has worked very hard over the past year for this deployment. We are ready to go and we are ready to answer our nation's calling."

Rev. Sandra H. Mull, grandmother of Cole Sailor, Seaman Thomas H. Dew, said they will keep the ship in their prayers during this deployment.

Cole is a 505-foot long ship with a crew of about 270 Sailors. The ship also contains a "Hall of Heroes" to honor the 17 Sailors who died during the terrorist attack in 2000.

U.S. and Brazilian Navies Work Together During Joint Warrior

USS COLE, At Sea (NNS) -- Ships led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 24 are working alongside the Brazilian Navy during Exercise Joint Warrior 09-2 Oct. 3-16.

Joint Warrior, designed and led by the United Kingdom's Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff, is a multi-warfare exercise designed to improve interoperability between allied navies and prepares participating crews to conduct combined operations during deployments.

The exercise promotes Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet's three focus areas: conducting safe and effective fleet operations to achieve mission, providing ready maritime forces for global assignment, and teaming with allies and partners in execution of the maritime strategy.

Brazilian frigate BNS Defensora (F 41) is conducting combined operations with the guided-missile frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG 32), and the guided-missile destroyers USS Cole (DDG 67) and Ramage (DDG 61). This collaboration is an excellent opportunity for both Brazilian and U.S. Sailors.

"Commander, U.S. Second Fleet has three focus areas; the third focus area is enhancing our relationship with allies and partners," said Capt. John Kersh, DESRON 24 commodore. "We very aggressively sought out ways to work with other navies, such as Brazil, to enhance our relationships with these allies and partners."
Defensora reacted to scenario-driven exercises, such as small boat attacks, boarding operations, air defense and anti-submarine warfare.

Defensora also brings unique assets to the exercise, such as an AH-11A Super Lynx Mk21A and combat divers. Both were recently used to assist Cole's visit, board, search and seizure team during a counter-piracy exercise.

"The performance of the boarding team from Defensora was spectacular," said Kersh. "The Brazilian combat divers demonstrated great airmanship when they landed on the 'pirated' vessel."

"It was wonderful to see our friends come alongside of us to do a combined operation with our ship," said Cole's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Edward Devinney. "This relationship is a great step forward and I hope in the future we can continue to work with them."

Defensora's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Antonio Capistrano said that Joint Warrior has proven to be a great way for the Brazilian Navy to integrate with and learn from U.S. ships.

"Most of my crew has never worked with U.S. ships," Capistrano said. "For us, we are learning a lot by integrating like this. I think this is an opportunity to come together, to make friends, and to build trust. We are learning a lot in this new environment; it is an honor to be here and it is a great opportunity to work together."

USS Cole Prepares for Joint Warrior

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katrina Parker, Destroyer Squadron 24 Public Affairs

ABOARD USS COLE , At Sea (NNS) -- The crew aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) is conducting around-the-clock training to prepare for Exercise Joint Warrior 2009, which will qualify the ship for their next deployment.

Joint Warrior is a U.K.-led multiwarfare exercise designed to improve interoperability between allied navies and prepare participating crews to conduct combined operations during deployments.

The exercise, which is scheduled from Oct. 3-16, promotes Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet's three focus areas: conducting safe and effective fleet operations to achieve mission, providing ready maritime forces for global assignment, and teaming with allies and partners in execution of the maritime strategy.

Cole has been training since May, initially learning NATO policies and building charts, templates, and overlays for navigation, air space and operation areas. The entire crew is pulling together to ensure the ship is ready to react to whatever scenarios they will encounter during the exercise.

"Right now we are training to become a cohesive team," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Harrold Tejeda, from the Dominican Republic.

"The training we are doing now and the exercise we are preparing for will help us with our upcoming deployment," said Cole's Assistant Operations Officer Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Begley. "We are training on how to react to small attack vessels, conduct boarding operations, defend merchant shipping traffic, and maintain control of the air space in the maritime environment during our real-life operations."

Joint Warrior also allows crew members to earn qualifications before deployment.

"During this exercise there will be a lot of activities going on in such a short amount of time," said Tejeda. "It's a great way for the crew to observe and be involved with these real-life situations."

Tejeda said the junior enlisted crew members are very willing to learn and look forward to taking advantage of all the operations the exercise has to offer.

Destroyer Squadron 24 Commodore Capt. John Kersh addressed the crew to thank them for the effort they have shown in preparation for the exercise.

"You continue to do well as we conduct our trans-Atlantic crossing. The ship has done so well and you have worked so well as a team."

USS Cole, USS Hall, USS Ramage Depart for Joint Warrior 09

The guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) transits the Atlantic Ocean while participating in Exercise Joint Warrior 09-2. Exercise Joint Warrior 09-2 is a multi-national warfare exercise designed to improve interoperability between allied navies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Bookwalter/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katrina Parker, Destroyer Squadron 24 Public Affairs

ABOARD USS COLE, At Sea (NNS) -- The guided missile frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG 32), and guided missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61) and USS Cole (DDG 67), led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron 24, departed Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 23 to participate in Exercise Joint Warrior 2009.

Joint Warrior is a multi-warfare exercise designed to improve interoperability between allied navies and prepare participating crews to conduct combined operations during deployments.

The exercise, which is scheduled to commence Oct. 5 - 23, promotes Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet's three focus areas: conducting safe and effective fleet operations to achieve mission, providing ready maritime forces for global assignment, and teaming with allies and partners in execution of the maritime strategy.

Hall, Ramage, and Cole, along with ships from the Royal Navy, Canadian Forces, the Royal Danish Navy, the Brazilian Navy, and the Turkish Navy will be participating. The Royal Navy's HMS Illustrious (R 06), Northumberland (F 238), Portland (F 79), Bangor (M 109), Penzance (M 106), and Shoreham (M 112); the Canadian Force's ship HMCS Halifax (FFH 330), Montreal (FFH 336), Athabaskan (DDH 282), and Preserver (AOR 510); the Royal Danish Navy's HDMS Absalon (L 16); the Brazilian Navy's BNS Defensora (F 41); and the Turkish Navy's TCG Orucreis (F 245), will be divided into separate groups to represent fictional forces. Scenarios will include small boat attacks, exercise air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and boarding operations. Ships will be required to respond appropriately in order to accomplish their mission.

"The ships are going to operate in a multi-warfare, multi-platform coalition environment with a variety of other nations," said Capt. John Kersh, commander, Destroyer Squadron 24. "This is a pretty rare opportunity; the Royal Navy puts together this very high-end training, and we are using this exercise as an opportunity to build relationships with other navies. The strength of our Navy is the ability to operate with a variety of other navies and platforms all at the same time."

Sailors on board Cole will be able to operate alongside NATO partners to improve interoperability, as well as enjoy liberty in Scotland, Finland and Estonia.

"I want the crew to enjoy some relaxation; most people join the Navy to go see places and this is a great opportunity," said Cole's Command Master Chief (SW) Steve Timmons. "Also, this is phenomenal training and nothing beats working with NATO countries. They bring so much to the table."

The exercise will take place off the coast of Scotland with a coastline Sailors don't typically see operating off of the East Coast of the United States.

"We will be conducting this exercise in a historic Royal Navy training area," Kersh said. "It is sparsely populated, hilly, rocky, and with deep water so the ships can operate safely."

Joint Warrior serves as a deployment certification for U.S. ships, as well as offers Sailors the opportunity to execute maritime strategy with allied partners. The training scenarios will be realistic and challenging in order to enhance U.S. capabilities for maritime security.

"Hats off to the three ships for getting underway for Joint Warrior," said Kersh. "The crews have really worked hard to get their ships ready; they have worked through all the materiel issues, training requirements, and certifications. Joint Warrior will be a valuable exercise and a positive experience for our crews."

Cole Returns from Unique Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Patrick Grieco, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic


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).