Navy Week underway in Tampa

Monday, January 23, 2006

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The ship is more than 500 feet long.

From wartime missions, to fighting piracy on the high seas, to homeland security, the USS Carney and its crew are ready to respond to any situation.

The guided missile destroyer is making the Tampa cruise terminal a port of call before leaving on its next mission, likely to the Mediterranean Sea. Commanding officer Pat Shea said the ship has sailed every sea, but homeland security threats can be a top priority if necessary.

"The Carney could be deployed in and around the seaboard areas to patrol the seas, monitor the skies and help provide the information needed so commanders can make decisions about potential threats," said Shea.

Shea also said just the presence of the fully weaponized destroyer can deter modern-day pirates from breaking the laws of the sea.

"Having a 9,000-ton warship show up where the action is occurring is a lot like a policeman arriving at the scene," said Shea.

The ship is equipped with torpedo launchers, Tomahawk cruise missiles, harpoon missiles and even a weapon of last resort -- a Phalanx, which is a 50-millimeter Gatling gun. It can fire 3,000 rounds per minute and can take down an incoming missile or aircraft if necessary.

Chief Petty Officer Barry Bennett, who is from Homosassa Springs,

Torpedo launchers, among other weapons, are on the ship.

said port calls like this one can be an important way to make citizens aware of the people and equipment that protect the homeland.

"This lets the community see the Navy isn't just another job out there," said Bennett. "We have a mission. We have a role. We like to get the community involved in what we do every day. Let them know we are important, they are important, and they're why we're out here."

The USS Carney is more than 500 feet long and weighs about 8,300 tons. It carries a crew of about 320 men and women. It's scheduled to leave the Port of Tampa before Saturday's Gasparilla festivities.

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