In late June, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) announced the calendar year 2016 fleet award recipients, which included the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64).

Carney was selected by the CNO as the winner of the 2015-2016 USS Arizona Memorial Trophy Award.

Established in 1987, the Arizona Memorial Trophy honors the memory of the USS Arizona and is awarded to the surface ship in the fleet which has achieved the greatest combat readiness in strike warfare, surface fire support, and anti-surface warfare over the course of the previous two years.

Under these warfare areas, three specific characteristics are considered: operational readiness, operational performance, and miscellaneous achievements contributing to readiness.

Throughout 2015 and 2016, Carney excelled in all three of these areas, deploying twice within the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations as part of Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF)- Europe, for a total of eight-and-a-half months at the "tip of the spear."

In that time, Carney spent more than four months assigned to operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and off the coast of Libya.

During Carney's second deployment, the ship operated with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) as part of Operation Odyssey Lightning, during which Carney conducted support of combat operations ashore. Carney disrupted ISIL-Libya's ability to re-supply and maneuver at night, while at the same time gathering important intelligence used to further the fight.

Adm. Michelle J. Howard, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, said that "the ground-breaking innovations in amphibious operations were crucial to the unparalleled success of the ARG/MEU team and enabled the defeat of ISIL-L in Sirte, Libya."

During the same deployment, Carney discovered, reported, and then assisted in the rescue of 97 migrants stranded at sea.

Operations Specialist 2nd Class Erin Pickens, the navigational plotter aboard Carney during Operation Odyssey Lightning, said the entire experience was surreal to her.

"We were directly supporting not only pilots but forces on the ground. We were directing and helping to keep our people safe," said Pickens.

Carney was also a force for advancing U.S. 6th Fleet's strategic objectives. While assigned to FDNF-Europe Carney participated in numerous tactical maneuvering exercises with ships from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Turkey. In November 2016, Carney acted as the U.S. 6th Fleet representative to exercise Mavi Balina, a Turkish-led, 20-ship exercise involving vessels from seven nations.

As a strike warfare asset for the fleet commander, Carney's tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) team earned a perfect score during cruise missile tactical qualification in early 2015 and averaged 95 percent in more than 80 U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet TLAM scenarios in 2015 and 2016.

Carney's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Peter Halvorsen, attributes Carney's success to the hard work and high standards held by former and current Carney Sailors.

"This award is a testament to the professionalism, dedication, and superb performance of the entire Carney team and every Carney-Nation Sailor who has ever stood the watch in the combat information center, on the bridge, or on deck. I couldn't be more proud of this ship and her amazing crew."

Carney is presently conducting its third forward-deployed patrol and is participating in exercise Sea Breeze 2017 with the Ukrainian navy and Black Sea allies. Previously during this patrol, the ship has operated with NATO navies during exercise Joint Warrior off the coast of Scotland, completed flag officer sea training with the Royal Navy, and operated in the Baltic Sea. Carney is assigned to Commander, Task Force 65, based in Naples, Italy.

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.