JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The USS Carney returned to Naval Station Mayport on Sunday morning after a dangerous and historic seven-month deployment to the Middle East.
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Jennifer Carroll is a retired Lieutenant Commander and Aviation Maintenance Officer in the U.S. Navy.
“You never know being in uncharted territory, what the situation may be any given day,” Carroll said.
She described why the homecoming for the USS Carney will be so important.
The ship left Mayport on Sept. 27, 2023. Ten days later, Hamas attacked Israel, putting the Middle East at war.
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They are back on the East Coast after what some call a successful deployment.
The USS Carney can be seen on video launching missiles when Iranian-backed Houthis fired a ballistic missile at a Bermuda-owned M.V. Marline Luanda.
The Carney responded and helped the civilian crew on board.
There were no casualties, but the attacks only intensified. The Houthis launched missiles and drones into the Red Sea, targeting vessels from over 40 countries around the world.
The Carney stood firm in harm’s way and kept its weapons trained on incoming threats.
Over a seven-month deployment, the Carney destroyed Houthi-launched weapons, and 65 targets, in Yemen, they conducted two defensive strikes against Houthi targets and destroyed one Iranian-launched medium-rage ballistic missile.
It’s work that Carroll described as heroic.
“You have your surveillance that’s going on, you have your counter attack that’s going on, you have your protection that’s going on, and it’s like a city on the sea with all the particulars that’s needed to defend and guard and protect,” Carroll said.
Chief Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti welcomed the destroyer back to the United States on May 10.
“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. It has been eye-watering to watch, you are truly America’s Warfighting Navy in action,” Franchetti said.
Fourteen sailors were recognized for their outstanding achievements while deployed.