The crew of US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) concluded the first port call of their forward-deployed patrol, departing Valletta, Malta, on December 12.
USS Carney also became the first US Navy ship to moor in Valletta since 2014.
“We are thankful for the hospitality of our Maltese hosts,” said Cmdr. Peter Halvorsen, commanding officer of Carney. “Valletta is a beautiful city with a vibrant culture and rich history. It’s also an honor for the crew to be the first U.S. Navy ship to moor here since 2014.”
While in Valletta, the crew enjoyed liberty and were able to see some of Malta’s historical and cultural treasures, partake in in a friendly soccer match with the Maltese military, enjoy cultural exchanges, and participate in two community relations projects that supported the local community.
Carney’s crew opened the ship for tours and hosted a reception on the flight deck on behalf the US Ambassador to Malta, Kathleen Hill. Guests included Maltese governmental officials and ambassadors.
While moored in Valletta, Carney also conducted personnel exchanges with the Irish National Service Ship L.É. Niamh.
After departing Malta, the Carney conducted an underway exercise with patrol boats of the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM). Carney’s view, board, search and seizure team paired up with AFM members to simulate a non-compliant boarding of the Carney, providing both teams with a realistic boarding scenario.
During the evolution the teams successfully searched various ships’ spaces and conducted training to practice detaining personnel. The bilateral exercise also included force protection drills that trained the crews on how to react to imminent, sea-borne threats.