USS Cole makes port call in Stockholm

The USS Cole docked in Stockholm yesterday after participating in exercises in the Baltic Sea. It was the first time a US Navy warship has docked there in 7 years.

Most of the ship's 300 crew members have never set foot in Sweden before, and their impression after sailing through Stockholm’s archipelago left them with heightened expectations.

“It was just beautiful,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Joshua Winkler of Illinois.

Commanding Officer Cary J. Krause was also struck by the archipelago, not only for its beauty, but also because of the challenge he faced in navigating the 150 metre-long destroyer through the vast collection of islands.

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Besides the current dollar-krona exchange rate, as well as the location of the nearest nightclub, sailors were also interested in having the chance to experience yet another port city.

“Business comes first, play comes later,” said Winkler with a smile.

Life in the Navy can be pretty hard, but I've been to Sweden in the summer time...there is an upside to being a sailor, I guess.