USS Carney Crew Recalls Intense Red Sea Combat

Most of the crew on the USS Carney thought their mission would be normal when they left Naval Station Mayport, Florida, on September 27. Kameron Miller, a Fire Controlman 2nd Class, was looking forward to port calls and making friends. But as things got worse in the Middle East, their plan took a turn they didn't expect.

Hamas attacked Israel in a big way on October 7, which caused chaos in the whole area. By the middle of October, Houthi fighters in Yemen were using drones and missiles to attack civilian merchant ships in the Red Sea. This put the Carney in the middle of the fighting.

The crew members quickly got used to the high-stakes situation. Gunner's Mate 1st Class Charles Currie remembered how important it was: "The XO told us straight out what was going on." The crew just began to get ready at that point.

The Carney stopped 15 drones and 4 land-attack missiles on Oct. 19 that were aimed at military and civilian targets. The quick change was very clear to Fire Controlman Justin Parker: "We heard 'clear the weatherdecks' and the sound of missiles firing." It wasn't a practice run; it happened.

The sailors relied on their training to keep their cool. The ship's law officer, Ensign William Hinckley, stressed the importance of working together: "It's about keeping everyone safe." It's important to think about other people.

The USS Carney's performance shows how unpredictable military deployments can be, and it also shows how strong and ready its crew is to face danger.

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