USS Abraham Lincoln Returns After Record Deployment Supporting War on Iran
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier returned to San Diego after a 321-day deployment supporting the U.S. war against Iran. The deployment included a record 260 days at sea and significant combat operations against Iran. Crew members faced hardships including supply shortages and mental health issues, with eight suicide attempts reported. Defense Secretary awarded the crew a Presidential Unit Citation, praising their performance.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego after a 321-day deployment supporting the U.S. war against Iran.
- The carrier strike group conducted 3,693 combat sorties and sank 64 Iranian vessels.
- Crew members reported difficulties with supplies, medical care, and food.
- Eight suicide attempts were reported among the crew during the deployment.
- Defense Secretary awarded the crew the Presidential Unit Citation for heroism.
- The deployment set a record for 260 consecutive days at sea.
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier returned to San Diego on Thursday after a 321-day deployment, the second-longest for a U.S. aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War. For 64 crew members, the homecoming marked the first meeting with children born during their absence. The deployment, which began on November 21, 2025, saw the Lincoln set a record for more than 260 consecutive days at sea without docking at a port, before finally anchoring in Thailand in early September.
The Lincoln was initially sent to the Pacific but was rerouted to the Middle East, becoming a key U.S. airpower base following the start of the American-Israeli campaign against Iran on February 28. It also participated in the U.S. naval blockade against the Iranian regime. According to Secretary of Defense the Secretary of Defense, the carrier strike group conducted 3,693 combat sorties, launched 450 Tomahawk missiles, and sank 64 Iranian vessels. Additionally, they shot down 77 attack drones and destroyed 21 anti-ship cruise missiles.
Despite these military achievements, the crew faced significant challenges. Democratic Representative Sarah Jacobs, who visited the ship in September, reported crew members detailing difficulties with laundry, obtaining medication, adequate medical care, and sufficient food. While the Navy stated food supplies were adequate, wartime supply limitations temporarily reduced meal variety. Acting Secretary of the Navy Dan Driscoll confirmed in a letter to Congress that there were eight suicide attempts among the strike group during the deployment.
Senator Richard Blumenthal raised concerns about the timing of these incidents and the steps taken to prevent recurrence, accusing the Navy of withholding information. Secretary visited the ship before its return and awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism. He rejected attempts to portray the Lincoln as a symbol of failure or low morale, praising the crew's performance. He humorously noted his own role in extending deployments, having signed off on them.
The return of the Lincoln echoes historical homecomings, such as President George W. Bush's 2003 speech aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln declaring the end of major combat operations in Iraq. Over two decades later, the carrier again returns from a Middle East campaign with notable military successes and a crew eager to reunite with families, with one sailor telling the AP, "We are different people, we are parents now."