Sailor's trial provides window into Navy fears after Cole attack

By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN
Associated press Writer

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - U.S. Navy commanders were wary as their ships headed to the Persian Gulf in the months after a terrorist ambush in 2000 killed 17 sailors aboard the USS Cole.

Passing the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow, busy shipping lane that often invited challenges from Iran, was never easy. Ship commanders decided to travel quickly at night after conducting a drill. Sailors took up machine gun positions and shut valves and hatches to limit damage in case of attack.

"We really weren't sure what to expect," said Lt. Commander Jay Wylie, who was on board the USS Benfold.

No one expected to find a threat from within.

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