Service History
Cole was launched on 10 February 1995 and commissioned on 8 June 1996. The Cole was in continual service for the United States Navy for several years after being commissioned. However, an al-Qaeda terrorist attack in 2000, allegedly plotted by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, would heavily damage the ship, requiring extensive repairs, although still capable of eventually returning to service.
The first seven months of 2000 were spent completing the Intermediate and Advanced portions of the Inter-Deployment Training Cycle (IDTC). From 7 March to 7 April, USS COLE participated in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) 00-2 as part of Cruiser-Destroyer Group 2, led by George Washington, operating within the Gulf of Mexico operating areas. Cole was the only unit not 'damaged' during the exercise. From 09 to 22 May, USS COLE participated in Joint Task Force Exercise 00-2 with the battle group, operating within the Cherry Point and Virginia Capes Operating Areas. On 8 August 2000, Cole departed on deployment, spending much time in the Mediterranean and Adriatic.
Read more about this topic: USS Cole (DDG-67)
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