Retired Cmdr. Kirk S. Lippold, who commanded guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) during the terrorist attacks in 2000, spoke to Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) region watch officers (RWOs) at Naval Support Activity, Naples, Nov. 3.

Lippold was invited to speak to the RWOs to discuss decision making in crises based on his experiences aboard Cole during the bombing.

"Crisis management is nothing more than the ability to act in the now and still think ahead," said Lippold, author of "Front Burner: Al Qaeda's Attack on the USS Cole." "When you're in a crisis, you'll make the best decision you can with the information you have."

RWOs are the pin point for all installations in order to communicate and relay information to the region commander. In the event of a disaster or crisis at one of the region's eight installations, their responsibilities increase as they must quickly enact threat working groups and crisis action teams to support the installation.

Just as a ship performs lines of operation, Navy Region EURAFSWA installations perform the same lines of operation to provide capability to the fleet, joint and allied forces. Two of those are security and safety, and as the commander's link in the Region Operations Center, the RWO is an essential element in ensuring those operations in a emergency management situation.

Lippold shared his account of how he commanded Cole in the critical hours and days following the bombing. He offered advice to watch officers based on his experience on how to stay alert and aware of the various possibilities which could occur in a crisis. He also talked about the current threat environment we now live in and how that may affect region installations.

"Terrorists had one thing on their hands that they still have today -- time," said Lippold. "It's not a matter of if, but when. Always question the assumptions, the force protection measures, intelligence, training, and timing. The daily training on force protection maintains personnel skill sets."

Lippold's detailed story of the damage and human loss, and his efforts in saving the ship helped the RWO's understand the value of crisis management. Petty Officer 1st Class Jenny Camillucci de Matias stated the brief helped reinforce the importance of vigilance overseas.

"Commander Lippold reinforced how we need to respond in crisis management situations," she said. "The recipe for success is continuous training exercises, planning, and forethought."

"Cmdr. Lippold's experience reminds us of a time when our practices and intelligence were inadequate for the foe we still face today," said Lt. Mike Garcia, flag secretary for EURAFSWA. "His story reinforces the fact that as a leader, the importance of complete knowledge of your surrounding and your platform is the only thing that can ensure you are capable to deal with a situation like that."

Navy Region EURAFSWA provides operational platforms ashore that enable U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed and when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia.

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