The USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, has returned to the United States following a grueling seven-month deployment in the Middle East. This period was marked by high tensions and confrontations, particularly involving the Iran-backed Houthi rebels and a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti heralded the ship and its crew upon their return, recognizing their remarkable achievements in maintaining maritime stability and security in the region.

“I could not be more proud of what the Carney team has done since September. Called to action on the very first day that you entered the U.S. 5th Fleet, you conducted 51 engagements in six months,” Franchetti stated, highlighting the crew’s dedication to ensuring the free flow of commerce and upholding international order.

The USS Carney’s journey began on September 27, 2023, departing from Naval Station Mayport and initially operating within the U.S. 6th Fleet area.

Its mission quickly turned critical when Hamas launched an unexpected attack on Israel on October 7, killing nearly 1,200 individuals and taking about 250 hostages. Subsequently, on October 18, the Carney entered the 5th Fleet’s area of operations, precisely as Houthi insurgents escalated their offensive against cargo ships in the Red Sea.

During its time at sea, the USS Carney exhibited its warfighting prowess by successfully destroying a plethora of Houthi-launched weapons, which included land attack cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, and unmanned systems.

Notably, the destroyer conducted two defensive strikes in Yemen, obliterating 20 targets and neutralizing one Iranian-launched medium-range ballistic missile.

The destroyer’s engagement with the Houthis was relentless. The Navy reported that throughout its deployment, Carney’s crew destroyed 65 Houthi targets launched from Yemen and on the ground, indicating a high level of operational activity and combat readiness.

These engagements were part of a broader effort to secure maritime traffic in the strategic waterways of the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and Gulf of Aden, which are critical to global trade and energy supplies.

Further cementing its role in defense history, the USS Carney was part of the first operational deployment of Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) anti-ballistic missile interceptors, which were used to counter an Iranian missile and drone attack against Israel.

In January, the Carney also made history by employing the U.S. Navy’s SM-6 missile against a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden.

The crew’s determination and skill were emphasized by Adm. Franchetti’s remarks. “As Surface Warriors, we train to this. We train to this level of readiness and boldness, with a clear commitment to the warfighting excellence that you all exhibited on the world stage for everyone to see. You did exactly what you were trained to do,” she said, summarizing the crew’s performance with the accolade “Bravo Zulu” – a naval signal meaning “well done.”

With the Carney set to return to its homeport of Mayport later this month, the crew will be afforded a well-deserved respite. The ship, which has withstood one of the most intense actions a U.S. Navy warship has experienced in recent times, will undergo necessary maintenance and refitting in preparation for future missions.

The USS Carney’s deployment underscores the continued strategic importance of the U.S. Navy’s surface combatant fleet and its integral role in countering emerging threats in volatile regions.

The steadfast efforts of its sailors serve as a testament to the resolute and vigilant presence the United States maintains on the world’s oceans to safeguard its interests and those of its allies.

Relevant articles:
– USS Carney is back in the US following 7-month deployment to Middle East, ‘51 engagements’ in Red Sea, Stars and Stripes
– CNO Welcomes USS Carney from Historic Middle East Deployment, DVIDS
– The USS Carney, salty and battle-tested, is back in the United States, Navy Times
– USS Carney Destroyed 65 Houthi Targets During Its Cruise, The War Zone