Cole Completes Security Cooperation Port Visits in Finland, Estonia: "Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) recently completed theater security cooperation port visits in Helsinki, Finland, and Tallinn, Estonia, Oct. 21-27.
The visits come after Cole's participation in Exercise Joint Warrior 09-2, a multilateral exercise with various international partners.
Cole's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Edward Devinney greeted the Mayor of Helsinki Jussi Pajunen shortly after pulling into the port. Pajunen welcomed Cole and exchanged gifts with Devinney. He said it was an honor for the ship to be in Helsinki, and he hoped the Sailors would have a wonderful visit.
Sailors had the opportunity to experience a historically rich culture and interact with locals during their stay in Finland's capitol. Cole's Morale, Welfare and Recreation program offered a tour of the city, which included a sightseeing tour of Finlandia Hall, Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral and a tour of one of the largest sea fortresses in the world, the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress."
