As Ingalls shipbuilders, we build ships with safety and quality at the forefront, carefully shaping and crafting steel, knowing the work we do will protect our military as they defend our freedom.
On October 12, we remember the 17 Sailors who lost their lives when the USS Cole (DDG 67) was attacked in 2000. As we reflect back on the ship’s legacy and strength, let it serve as a reminder of the pivotal role Ingalls shipbuilders have in securing our country’s freedom.
In 1996, Ingalls delivered Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG-67), to the U.S. Navy. We built the ship with precision and respect and watched it sail away knowing our best work was entering the fleet.
On October 12, 2000, four years after entering service, a devastating terrorist attack was made on the USS Cole, killing 17 and injuring 39 more.
The ship sustained significant damage, but still had some fight left so the Navy made the strategic decision to send the vessel back to Ingalls for repairs. Hundreds of shipbuilders watched from the pier as the battle-worn ship arrived in Pascagoula just two months after the attack.
“Seeing the USS Cole being carried back to us seemed like a wounded soldier being brought home. It was our mission and duty to return the Cole back to duty stronger than when it was delivered,” said Robert Harper, cost estimating analyst, Contracts & Pricing.
Nearly a thousand shipbuilders went to work right away to return the ship to the fleet. It was a mission that Ingalls shipbuilders took personally.
“Being a veteran of the Navy and having not been long out of service at the time of the Cole attack, I still had friends serving who I was worried about,” recalled Tom Casey, director, General Manufacturing. “When I watched the Cole arrive at Ingalls, I was so angry that one of our ships had been attacked. Watching that same ship sail away a short time later knowing it was going back into service, I felt a tremendous sense of pride.”
Every shipbuilder that played a role in the repairs knew and understood the significance of the restoration process and what returning this ship to service would symbolize, not just to Americans but to the world.
“The moment the USS Cole returned to us was a solemn reminder of why we do what we do,” said Lachonda Arrington, test coordinator, Pipe. “Every ounce of effort we put into its repair was a pledge to honor the lives lost and to rebuild a ship that would continue to protect our freedom.”
“Each shipbuilder here made a commitment to honor the lives lost by rebuilding the Cole. Each weld, each bolt, each pipe placed on that vessel was personal and a tribute to those who lost their lives in the attack,” said Cynthia Williams, Pipe superintendent, 2nd shift. “We were not just repairing a vessel; we were reinforcing our commitment to the brave Sailors and Marines who served then and for those who still proudly serve today. The work we do truly makes a difference in the defense of our nation.”
In April 2002, the USS Cole sailed away once again. As the ship departed, shipbuilders stood and watched with pride, knowing the work they did saved lives once and could do so again in the future.
“I was and still am extremely proud to be an Ingalls shipbuilder and to be a part of a purpose that’s so much bigger than ourselves,” said Tom. “ It gives me tremendous patriotism for our country to know we have the greatest Navy in the world and that it’s made possible by the greatest shipbuilders in the world.”
Today, the Aegis destroyer sails as a symbol of strength, embodying the warrior mindset that drives the Navy and ensures mission readiness. The USS Cole is currently deployed and recently supported the U.S. response efforts to Iranian missiles being launched on Israel.
THEIR mission is OUR purpose.
Did you work on the USS Cole? Tell us about your experience and the pride you feel in seeing your work come to life on the open water. Email us at IngallsConnect@hii-ingalls.com