LSR Rolando Bautista had a unique opportunity to get a firsthand look at the historic vessel. Having served onboard a dozen U.S. Navy ships in an active duty capacity, Bautista said that visiting the USS Cole made a lasting impression. In 2000, the USS Cole bombing was one of the deadliest naval attacks in recent times, where 17 Sailors lost their lives in a terrorist attack off of the coast of Yemen.

The port visit gave Bautista an opportunity to honor and remember the 17 fallen Sailors in the USS Cole attack. Bautista said that walking into the USS Cole was so solemn that it gave him goosebumps. While aboard, he was able to view the Hall of Heroes which represented the people who sacrificed their life and immortalized them for future ship crews.
"When you are walking down that hallway you have a totally different feeling; as if you can feel the presence of the departed crew," said Bautista.

Through the logistics response team's commitment, NAVSUP FLC Bahrain delivered 19 pallets of cargo weighing more than 3,480 pounds, significantly contributing to USS Cole's mission readiness. As a vital source in the resupply efforts, NAVSUP FLC Bahrain continues to be a critical logistics provider to ships visiting the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations.

"All of the ships that are in the U.S. 5th Fleet area are defending our country," said Bautista. "They are enduring sacrifices away from their families to do an important job. The USS Cole is a combat ship, so in a moment's notice they can be in danger. The supplies we provide to the Sailors support the maintenance and repair for operational efforts, and help to shape the morale of the crew. When a Sailor receives letters from their loved ones while at sea, it provides reassurance of the dedication and commitment to protecting the safety of our nation."

NAVSUP FLC Bahrain has more than 180 military and civilian personnel providing logistics support in the region. The command is one of eight FLCs worldwide in the NAVSUP GLS enterprise. NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,500 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

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For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.