USS Cole Joins 6th Fleet AOR

The guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) departed Naval Station Norfolk today, on a deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

After transiting the Atlantic Ocean, Cole will enter the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding waters to conduct maritime operations and strengthen partner nations’ maritime capabilities, promoting a secure maritime environment.

Cole returned from her last deployment in January 2013. Between maintenance periods, the crew was underway for certification exercises, participation in the NATO exercise Joint Warrior and Fleet Week New York earlier this year.

The ship was commissioned June 8, 1996, and is named after U.S. Marine Sgt. Darrell Samuel Cole, who received the Medal of Honor for his “conspicuous gallantry” at the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.

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