Norfolk, Va. - The USS Cole and her sailors have departed Naval Station Norfolk and are now headed to the Mediterranean.
For the next six months, the Cole's crew will be carrying out maritime operations in the Mediterranean Sea while providing security and helping ally nations.
Despite a deadly attack on the USS Cole more than a decade ago, this guided missile destroyer shows no signs of what she's overcome.
In October 2000, suicide bombers attacked the ship while she was in port in Yemen.
The explosion killed 17 sailors, and hurt dozens more.
While most of the sailors now assigned to the Cole were in elementary school when she was attacked, there are regular reminders of her history.
Below deck, there is a blackened U.S. flag and 17 gold stars that line the ship's Hall of Heroes Passageway to remind everyone on board of the ship's story of sacrifice and survival.
