Navy
GalleryUSS Carney arrives home at last and is awarded the Navy Unit Commendation
Stars and Stripes
May 19, 2024
Sailors man the rails of Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) as it ends a more than seven-month deployment and returns to homeport Naval Station Mayport. (Steven Khor/U.S. Navy)
The USS Carney is home at last.
Family, friends, fellow sailors and Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro were on hand Sunday at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., when the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) sailed into its homeport after a nearly eight-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.
Del Toro awarded the Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) to the Carney for “outstanding performance against terrorist forces,” according to a Navy news release.
The NUC is awarded to any ship, aircraft, or other unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that has distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against enemy forces. It is the second-highest unit award in the Navy, behind the Presidential Unit Citation.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro welcomes home the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) from deployment on Sunday, May 19, at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Del Toro awarded the Navy Unit Commendation to the Carney for “outstanding performance against terrorist forces during their nearly eight-month deployment.” ( Jared Mancuso/U.S. Navy)
“Carney was deployed forward, deterring our adversaries, protecting our national interests, defending the rules-based international order and promoting peace,” Del Toro said. “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.”
Following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel, USS Carney operated alongside the Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Groups in the Red Sea, defending commercial shipping lanes and protecting American, allied and partner vessels against drone and missile attacks launched by the Iranian-aligned Houthis in Yemen.
The crew of the Carney was busy, conducting 51 engagements against Houthi weapons, including land attack cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles and unmanned systems. There were also two defensive strikes that destroyed 20 targets.
Additionally, USS Carney, alongside USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), successfully engaged Iranian ballistic missiles fired at Israel on April 13 in a retaliatory strike.
Del Toro made sure to address the families of the crew.
“I recognize that their service is only possible through the support provided by the military families — the foundation of our armed forces,” he said. “Thank you, to all of you, for your unwavering support, love and encouragement for your Carney sailor and the Navy.”
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Tyler Martinez, from Surprise, Ariz., embraces his girlfriend after returning home from deployment aboard the USS Carney on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy)
Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ship’s homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy)
Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ship’s homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy)
Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ship’s homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy)
Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ship’s homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Richard Locklear/U.S. Navy)
USS Carney arrives home Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy)
Chief Operations Specialist Noah Wicks of McAlisterville, Pa., greets his children after returning home from deployment aboard the USS Carney on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy)
Chief Engineman Joshua Milburn of Anderson, Ind., embraces his girlfriend after returning home from deployment aboard the USS Carney on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy)
Families wait pierside as Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney returns home Sunday, May 19, 2024, to Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Steven Khor/U.S. Navy)
Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ship’s homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy)
Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ship’s homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (John Fischer/U.S. Navy)
Family and friends of sailors assigned to USS Carney (DDG 64) prepare to reunite with their loved ones during the ship’s homecoming at on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (John Fischer/U.S. Navy)
