USS Cole leaves Naval Station Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - It was chilly Monday as sailors on board the USS Cole said their goodbyes. The ship left Naval Station Norfolk late afternoon to begin a seven-month deployment.

Originally scheduled to leave Friday, the ship's departure was delayed by the weekend's severe weather, giving sailors extra time with their families.

"It's an emotional roller coaster getting ready to deploy," said the Cole's Commanding Officer Edward Devinney on Sunday. "We were getting ready for Friday and we found out late Thursday the weather was pretty bad."

"I think for the most part the crew is pretty happy with a couple more days at home, with the family and for the Super Bowl weekend," Devinney added.

The extra days gave one wife and her husband time with their 19 day old baby girl.  

"I don't like snow I'm not from here but I was thankful for it," she said.

With the big game behind them, the crew can now focus on the task at hand. They'll be spending the next seven months patrolling the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf.

"We all joined the Navy to serve our country," Devinney said. "It's part of the Navy and it's part of what we do."

It's been almost 10 years since tragedy struck aboard the Cole when 17 sailors were killed and dozens of others were injured as terrorists blew a hole in the side of the ship. The Cole was docked off the coast of Aden. The captain of the ship says there were so many heroes on that October day. Not only those who lost their lives, but those who helped keep the Cole afloat. It's an honor current Cole Sailors carry with them everywhere they go.

"I think Cole is a very visible symbol," Devinney added. "When we are out doing our mission, it's an important statement to the world that you can't hold us down."

Sailors say while they honor the past, they look forward to writing their own chapter in the history books.

"To be here it's history here and I'm on it to make history. I'm happy to be here to serve on board the USS Cole," says YNC Tabitha Calloway.

During this deployment, the Cole will not be attached to a specific Battle Group, enabling the ship to respond to wherever it is needed.