Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomes the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) to Norfolk, Va., Friday, May 10, 2024. Throughout the ship’s seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation, Carney successfully destroyed 45 Houthi-launched weapons, including land attack cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, and unmanned systems. (William Spears/U.S. Navy)

The USS Carney is back in the U.S. following a seven-month deployment to the Middle East that coincided with the start of the Israel-Hamas war and an uptick in Houthi attacks in the region.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomed the crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer during a brief logistics stop Friday in Norfolk, Va. She also recognized 14 sailors for their “outstanding achievements while on deployment,” according to a Navy news release.

“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 said. “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.”

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomes the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) to Norfolk, Va., Friday, May 10, 2024. (William Spears/U.S. Navy)

Carney embarked Sept. 27 on a scheduled deployment from its homeport of Naval Station Mayport to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. While deployed, Carney predominantly operated with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, and initially operated with the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group upon arrival to the U.S. 6th Fleet.

The ship was conducting routine operations in the 6th Fleet area of operation when Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, killing almost 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage.

Carney entered the 5th Fleet area of operations Oct. 18 as the Iran-backed Houthi group began escalating attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. Carney successfully destroyed Houthi-launched weapons, including land attack cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles and unmanned systems. The ship also conducted two defensive strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, destroying 20 targets, and successfully destroyed one Iranian-launched medium-range ballistic missile.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomes the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) to Norfolk, Va., Friday, May 10, 2024. (William Spears/U.S. Navy)

“You did exactly what you were trained to do,” Franchetti said. “It is absolutely wonderful to be onboard today and have the opportunity to welcome you back and give you a great big Bravo Zulu — for a job incredibly well done.”

The Carney is expected to return home to Mayport later this month.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomes the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) to Norfolk, Va., Friday, May 10, 2024. (William Spears/U.S. Navy)

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomes the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) to Norfolk, Va., Friday, May 10, 2024. (William Spears/U.S. Navy)

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomes the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) to Norfolk, Va., Friday, May 10, 2024. (William Spears/U.S. Navy)

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomes the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) to Norfolk, Va., Friday, May 10, 2024. (William Spears/U.S. Navy)

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomes the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) to Norfolk, Va., Friday, May 10, 2024. (William Spears/U.S. Navy)

USS Carney defeats a combination of Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the Red Sea on Oct. 19, 2023. (Aaron Lau/U.S. navy)