Guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, July 21, after a monthlong group sail as part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2.

"The group sail was a critical training opportunity for preparation of our deployment and for the crew to seek our battle rhythm with the strike group," said Cmdr. David P. Wroe, Cole commanding officer. "We challenged the crew in many aspects of tactical warfare fighting and each time Cole Sailors went above and beyond the call of duty."

Cole trained through exercises and drills during the underway in conjunction with other CSG 2 and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMDSF) assets.

In addition to their operational training achievements, Cole celebrated several successes of its crew members in their professional development.

"We had three Sailors qualified as enlisted surface warfare specialists and two Sailors qualify as surface warfare officers after a very rigorous yard period," said Chief Navy Counselor Kristie Freeman.

DDG 67 was commissioned in 1996 and was the first warship named for Marine Sgt. Darrell S. Cole, (1920-1945). Cole posthumously received the United States' highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his service at the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS Cole (DDG 67), visit http://www.navy.mil/local/ddg67/ or http://www.facebook.com/DDG67/.

For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit http://www.navy.mil/.