A U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer Battled Houthi Missiles and Drones for 10 Hours

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Key Points: The USS Carney (DDG-64), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, played a historic role during its 2023 deployment. On October 19, in the Red Sea, it engaged in a 10-hour battle with Houthi militants, marking the most intense combat by a U.S. Navy vessel since World War II.

-The Carney shot down 15 drones and four land-attack missiles, followed by additional combat missions totaling 51 engagements during its deployment.

-The ship’s crew received the Combat Action Ribbon, the first since 1991, and its efforts were praised for protecting commerce and enforcing international norms.

U.S. Navy Warship USS Carney Shoots Down 15 Drones in Intense Engagement

On September 27, 2023, the United States Navy’s USS Carney (DDG-64) departed Naval Station Mayport, Florida. It was the beginning of a seven-month deployment, and while sailors are always prepared for the unexpected, few could have anticipated that the warship would take part in a historic operation against the Houthi militants in the Middle East.

The 14th Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer built, DDG-64 was named for Admiral Robert Carney, a combat veteran of both World Wars, and who later served as President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Chief of Naval Operations. Her motto is “Resolute, Committed, Successful” and all three can describe the actions of October 19, 2023, when the warship took part in what has been described as the most intense combat engagement by a U.S. Navy vessel since World War II.

From Routine to Extraordinary: Battle with the Houthis

USS Carney began routine operations with the U.S. 6th Fleet when the Iranian-back Hamas launched its terrorist attack into southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The guided-missile destroyer was then ordered to the U.S. 5th Fleet of operations and was ready to support commercial shipping in the region.

Just one day after arriving in the Red Sea, on October 19, DDG-64 went to war and took part in a 10-hour standoff with the Houthis. The crew were told what they could face and proved more than up to the task.

“We had never done anything like this before – we had only trained to it,” explained 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.”

According to the U.S. Navy, USS Carney “shot down 15 drones and four land-attack drones fire by Houthi rebels in Yemen, marking the most intense combat engagement by a U.S. Navy warship since WWII.”

Even after the 10-hour battle ended, USS Carney remained in the region, and during her seven-month deployment – much of it spent with the crew on high alert – the destroyer took part in a total of 51 combat engagements. DDG-64 conducted two strikes on Houthis positions in Yemen, destroying 20 targets, and even an Iranian-launched medium-range ballistic missile.

Following the deployment, USS Carney made a port visit to Norfolk, where current Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti welcomed the crew home. On May 10, 2024, the entire crew received the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR), the first time a warship’s crew received the decoration since 1991’s Gulf War. In addition, 14 sailors were recognized for their outstanding achievements during the deployment.

“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 6 months,” said Franchetti. “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.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 12, 2021) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) transits the Atlantic Ocean, June 12, 2021. Paul Ignatius is operating in the Atlantic Ocean in support of U.S. 6th Fleet’s full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency, partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard).

USS Carney was commissioned in 1996 but has received numerous upgrades in nearly 30 years of service. She is now equipped with a range of advanced sensors and processing systems, including AN/SPY-1D PESA 3D radar and AN/SPY-6(V)1 AESA 3D radar. She is armed with 

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Peter Suciu is a Senior Editor focusing on defense issues for 19FortyFive. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,500 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on X: @PeterSuciu – and on Bluesky: @petersuciu.bsky.social.