A southern Illinois native and former SIU-Carbondale student is working to protect Israel as she serves aboard a guided missile destroyer in the Red Sea.
Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Santiago, a native of Anna, serves aboard the U-S-S Carney.
The NAVY office of Community Outreach reports Santiago serves as a quartermaster and was aboard the ship October 19, when the crew of the 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 headed toward Israel when Carney intercepted them.
Carney’s commanding officer Commander Jeremy Robertson says the engagement lasted several hours and crew members like Santiago made all the difference.
