Petty Officer 1st Class Lindsay Woods serves aboard the USS Carney, currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

Woods serves as an operations specialist and was aboard the ship on Oct. 19 when the crew of Carney shot down multiple land attack cruise missiles and unmanned aerial drones launched by Houthi forces in Yemen while the ship was operating in the northern Red Sea. The missiles and drones were believed to be headed toward Israel when Carney intercepted them. Since the 19th, Carney has engaged numerous other unmanned aerial drones.

“As combat information center supervisor, my role is to manage the flow of communication through CIC while recording, reporting and identifying surface contacts and threats, as well as providing navigation recommendations to the bridge,” said Woods.

The engagement lasted several hours and made news worldwide. According to Cmdr. Jeremy Robertson, Carney’s commanding officer, crewmembers like Woods made all the difference.

“We could not have done this without all of the preparation and the support from our families back home,” Robertson said. “This is what we are meant to do, and on that day, the crew came together and executed the mission seamlessly.”

Carney’s deployment helps ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.

“Being a part of this mission means that we will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of those at sea and around the world,” said Woods.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers like Carney are outfitted with the world’s most sophisticated weaponry systems. They further strengthen the U.S. Navy’s contribution to national security by deterring potential adversaries and protecting vital assets.

“I’m extremely proud of the Carney team,” Robertson said. “Every member of the crew performed exactly what we have been training to do and kept Carney engaged throughout the fight during this act. We could not have done this without all the preparation and the support from our families back home. This is what we are meant to do, and on that day, the crew came together and executed the mission seamlessly.”

The U.S. Navy is engaged, postured, and ready with credible force to assure, deter, and defend in an increasingly complex security environment. Our primary goal is to contribute to a peaceful, stable, and conflict-free region through our allies’ and partners’ combined naval power.