What was the USS Cole engaged in at the time of the attack?

The USS Cole was refueling in the harbor of Aden, Yemen, at the time of the attack on October 12, 2000. This operation was a routine part of naval operations, where ships often stop in various ports to take on fuel and supplies before continuing their missions. The attack, carried out by suicide bombers, targeted the USS Cole while it was in a vulnerable state, which is common when vessels are at a dock or in port. The context of refueling is significant because it highlights the operational security challenges faced by naval vessels when they are not in fully defensive postures.