Surface Strike Group Deploys to Mediterranean
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS031130-03
Release Date: 11/30/2003 3:34:00 PM
From Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- More than 1,000 Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyers USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), and the Spruance-class destroyer USS Thorn (DD 988) departed Nov. 29 for a scheduled Mediterranean Sea deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.
As the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Surface Strike Group (SSG), Cole, Gonzalez and Thorn will participate in regional exercises with allies, make diplomatic port calls and respond to any contingency, including those associated with the ongoing war on terrorism.
The SSG can operate independently or in conjunction with other maritime forces. Their flexibility provides presence with a purpose, and strike power to support joint and allied forces afloat and ashore.
Cole's deployment will be its first since the October 12, 2000, terrorist attack in Yemen. The ship was repaired by the Navy's Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Repair and Conversion (SUPSHIP), Ingall's Shipyard, Pascagoula, Miss., for an estimated $250 million.
Thorn's deployment will be its final one; the ship is scheduled for decommissioning in 2004 after more than 23 years of active Navy service.
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