Guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk April 29.

In the presence of Cole Sailors, special guests, family and friends, Cmdr. David P. Wroe relieved Cmdr. James A. Quaresimo as commanding officer.

"It has been a great honor to serve as your commanding officer, the commanding officer of the greatest destroyer to ever sail the seas with the greatest crew ever," said Quaresimo. "For it is the character of Cole's crew that makes her what she is, and I say without a doubt that this is the best ship in the Navy."

Quaresimo assumed command of Cole January 2015. During his tenure, he led Sailors in ballistic-missile defense operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, where Cole supported Operation Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea.

Under Quaresimo's command, Cole was awarded the Battle Effectiveness Award, or "Battle E," for proficiency in overall readiness and ability to carry out assigned wartime tasks.

Wroe is a native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and received his bachelor's degree from the College of the Holy Cross. Wroe served as Cole's executive officer from December 2014 to April 2016.

On Oct. 12, 2000, Cole was attacked by members of the al-Qaeda terrorist organization. The terrorists used a small vessel posing as a trash barge to close in on the ship before detonating an improvised explosive device. The blast tore a 40 feet by 60 feet hole in the side of the ship at the waterline. Seventeen Sailors perished in the attack, and 37 were injured. The crew fought for 96 consecutive hours to save their ship.

Cole is preparing for a scheduled deployment later this year.

For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.