Cole deploys from Norfolk for international naval exercises

NORFOLK

The guided-missile destroyer Cole deployed this morning to take part in an international training effort, Exercise Orion ’08, the Navy said today.

During the exercise, the Cole -- under commanded of Cmdr. C. Krause -- will serve as part of a British Royal Navy carrier strike group.

Cole and the British carrier HMS Illustrious will be joined by HMS Edinburgh, HMS Westminster, HMS Trafalgar, HMS Atherstone, HMS Chiddingford and RFA Wave Knight from the Royal Navy along with the French ships FS Jean Bart, FS Surcouf and the Spanish ship SPS Mendez Nunez.

During Orion ’08, Cole will participate in several multi-national exercises, along with conducting maritime security operations, the Navy said.

This will be the Cole’s third deployment since repairs to the ship were completed in Pascagoula, Miss., in April 2002, from damage sustained in a terrorist attack in Yemen more than six years ago.

On Oct. 12, 2000, a small boat packed with explosives attacked the ship while it was in the waters of Aden, Yemen. The blast killed 17 sailors and tore a huge gash in the ship’s hull.