After a challenging eight-month deployment in the volatile Middle East, the USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, has finally returned home.

The much-anticipated homecoming was marked by a ceremony at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, where the USS Carney (DDG 64) was met with an atmosphere brimming with pride and emotion.

Family members, fellow sailors, and the Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro gathered to welcome the vessel and its crew.

The return of the USS Carney comes on the heels of its exceptional service during heightened tensions in the Middle East, a period marked by the Israel-Hamas war and increased Houthi aggression.

For its extraordinary efforts, the USS Carney was awarded the prestigious Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) by Secretary Del Toro, recognizing the ship’s “outstanding performance against terrorist forces.”

This accolade is second only to the Presidential Unit Citation and underscores the exceptional heroism displayed by the ship and its crew in action against enemy forces.

Secretary Del Toro lauded the USS Carney, stating, “Carney was deployed forward, deterring our adversaries, protecting our national interests, defending the rules-based international order and promoting peace,” further adding, “I, and all Americans, (are) immensely proud of these Carney sailors. They represent the best of the Department of the Navy and indeed our nation.”

During the deployment, the USS Carney played a critical role in the Red Sea, operating in concert with the Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Groups.

The ship’s presence was pivotal in safeguarding commercial shipping lanes and defending American, allied, and partner vessels from drone and missile attacks initiated by the Iranian-aligned Houthis in Yemen.

The vessel’s crew was engaged in 51 counteractions against Houthi-launched weaponry, including land attack cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, and unmanned systems.

These operations also included two defensive strikes that led to the destruction of 20 targets.

One of the most significant actions involving the USS Carney occurred on April 13, when alongside USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), it successfully engaged Iranian ballistic missiles fired at Israel in a retaliatory strike, demonstrating the ship’s critical role in regional stability and defense.

Secretary Del Toro did not miss the opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifices made by the families of the Carney crew members.

He expressed heartfelt gratitude, emphasizing, “I recognize that their service is only possible through the support provided by the military families — the foundation of our armed forces.”

He extended his thanks for their “unwavering support, love and encouragement for your Carney sailor and the Navy.”

Relevant articles:
– USS Carney arrives home at last and is awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, Stars and Stripes