After a grueling seven-month deployment marked by a historic level of combat engagement, the USS Carney, a stalwart Navy destroyer, has returned to its home port in Mayport, Florida, to a hero’s welcome.
The Carney’s crew faced down an onslaught of missile and drone attacks from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
In a statement, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti highlighted that Carney’s crew carried out 51 engagements against the Houthis over a span of six months.
This marked the first instance since World War II that the Navy had directly confronted an enemy to such an extent.
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro recognized the ship’s outstanding service with a Navy Unit Commendation for “outstanding performance in action against terrorist forces.”
According to the ship’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Jeremy Robertson, the crew underwent rapid transformation, honing their instincts for battle in the face of this unexpected and severe threat.
“It was amazing to see how quickly they transitioned into a battle mindset…Their responsibility and actions and follow-up became very instinctual,” Robertson remarked, reflecting on the adaptability and courage of his sailors.
The Carney’s deployment, which began in the Mediterranean, quickly escalated as the crew was thrust into action following the Hamas attack on Israeli settlements on October 7.
Within a mere twelve days, the Carney was actively defending against Houthi missile and drone assaults.
One of the most harrowing moments of the deployment came on October 19, when the Carney intercepted a salvo of 18 threats, including land-attack cruise missiles and drones.
The rapid pace and unpredictability of the engagements demanded exceptional vigilance and readiness from the crew.
Robertson described the intensity of defending against an anti-ship ballistic missile, noting that an engagement, from initiation to completion, typically spanned approximately nine to 20 seconds.
This implies that the crew had merely seconds to spot the incoming missile, ascertain if it posed a threat, ensure the deck was clear of any personnel, and initiate countermeasures—all within a timeframe of fewer than 30 seconds.
The ship’s advanced radar system, Lockheed Martin’s AN/SPY-1, proved critical in these high-stakes confrontations. Despite the continuous threat, the Carney sustained no damage, and there were no casualties among the crew.
This unwavering performance under fire earned the entire crew the Combat Action Ribbon, with six sailors also receiving individual awards, such as the Bronze Star and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.
Relevant articles:
– Back Home, USS Carney Crew Lauded for Battling Houthi Drones and Missiles in Middle East, Military.com
– Destroyer USS Carney Returns Home After Seven, USNI News
– After an historic deployment, the USS Carney is home, Navy Times
– Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Claim Shooting Down Another US MQ-9 Reaper Drone as Footage Shows Wreckage, Military.com