WASHINGTON -- October 19, 2023, started out as a routine day underway for Sailors aboard USS Carney (DDG 64) as the ship steamed through the Red Sea on its scheduled deployment to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. However, starting at around 4 p.m. local time, things abruptly changed.
"We were in berthing and heard [an announcement over the ship's 1MC intercom system] 'clear the weatherdecks,' and I remember thinking, 'what does that mean? I've never heard that before,'" recalled Fire Controlman (AEGIS) 2nd Class Justin Parker, a SPY radar technician assigned to Carney.
Immediately after hearing the announcement, Parker said he heard the unmistakable sound of missiles being fired off the ship, as well as the destroyer's main 5-inch gun being fired. With no scheduled live fire drills that day, he said he instantly realized something was wrong.
"We had never done anything like this before - we had only trained to it," said Gunner's Mate 1st Class Charles Currie, a Mk. 45 gun technician assigned to Carney. "There was a lot of adrenaline going on - this was real-world now."
By the end of what became a 10-hour standoff, Carney had shot down 15 drones and four land-attack cruise missiles fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen, marking the most intense combat engagement by a U.S. Navy warship since WWII.
Carney departed for deployment Sept. 27, 2023, before the now-infamous Hamas terror attack on Israel Oct. 7. Looking back, crewmembers said they had no idea what was in store for them as they departed their homeport of Naval Station Mayport, Florida.
"I've only heard stories, but I expected to pull into ports and party a little bit," laughed Fire Controlman 2nd Class Kameron Miller...
On Oct. 7...crewmembers said they realized that the situation in the region would potentially be more complicated than they had anticipated...
"The XO told us flat out what the situation was...," recalled Currie...
Following Israel's response...the Iran-backed and Hamas-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen began a terror campaign against civilian mariners...
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby called these attacks "a clear example of terrorism..."
After...Oct.17..., Carney spent much of its deployment on high alert...
"The entire crew definitely fell back on their training..." said Lt.j.g.Haven Vickers...
The entire crew received Combat Action Ribbon upon returning home May10..., first such award since Gulf War1991.
Crewmembers felt impact hadn't fully set yet...
Miller shared his experience:...
I could not be more proud..."said Chief Adm.Lisa Franchetti...
"It's really neat to know we made history..."said OSC Noah Wicks...
"It wasn't just about traveling world; it was saving lives & getting job done."