The USS Carney (DDG-64) returned to its home port for Naval Station Mayport, Fla., on May 19 following a deployment over seven months that included significant action in the Red Sea and Middle East intercepting Houthi weapons based in Yemen.
DDG-64 was independently deployed as an air defense unit for striking group forces in the eastern Mediterranean and Red Seas during part of its 235 days of deployment.
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Lisa Franchetti noted the Carney conducted 51 engagements against Houthi weapons including land-attack cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles and unmanned systems in six months.
“The last time our Navy directly engaged the enemy to the degree that you have was way back in World War II, and it was the USS Hugh Hadley (DD-774), with her engagement record of 23. You saved lives, ensured the free flow of commerce, and stood up for the rules-based international order and all the values that we hold dear,” the CNO said while welcoming the ship home while aboard.
The ship also conducted two defensive strikes in Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen to destroy 20 targets.
In Mayport, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro presented the ship a Navy Unit Commendation for “outstanding performance” during its deployment.
Notably, DDG-64 was part of the U.S. Central Command forces that also destroyed over 80 explosive UAVs and at least six ballistic missiles launched by Iran towards Israel on April 13 in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria (Defense Daily, April 15).
Last month, Del Toro confirmed the Navy has used Standard Missile (SM)-2s, SM–3s and SM-6s in various activities, notably using SM-3s in defense of Israel from the Iranian-launched missiles. That was the first time SM-3s were used in combat (Defense Daily, April 17).
The Navy confirmed DDG-64 destroyed one of the Iranian ballistic missiles on April 13, likely using an SM-3.
In January, DDG-64 also provided 60 gallons of aqueous film forming foam to help extinguish a fire on a cargo tank of the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda. That tanker was hit by a Houthi-launched anti-ship ballistic missile on Jan. 26.
While deployed, the ship participated in operations Spartan Shield, Cobalt Shield, Inherent Resolve, Prosperity Guardian, Poseidon Archer and Pandora Throttle.