US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) welcomed aboard Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Vice Adm. James Foggo, and Romania Chief of Navy Rear Adm. Alexandru Mirsu, during a scheduled port visit in Constanta, Romania, Feb. 10, 2015.
The purpose of the visit was aimed at strengthening relationships and interoperability between the allied navies and involved a luncheon and tour of the ship for Foggo and Mirsu, hosted by Cole’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. James A. Quaresimo.
The tour included a walkthrough of the bridge, and a trip to the “Hall of Heroes,” a passageway with 17 gold stars – one for each of the Cole Sailors killed in the 2001 terrorist attack in Yemen. Foggo and Mirsu also visited the mess deck to see Cole’s memorial flags, which are displayed in remembrance of the attack and the ship’s revival.
Cole entered the Black Sea in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
USS Cole (DDG 67), homeported in Norfolk, is on a routine patrol conducting naval operations with allies and partners in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in order to advance security and stability in the Black Sea region.
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Image: US Navy