The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado on Thursday following a deployment lasting more than 10 months in support of military operations in the Iran war. The homecoming saw emotional reunions between crew members and their families, with many sailors experiencing significant milestones they had missed, including births, birthdays, and other family events. Among the first to disembark were 64 sailors meeting their newborns for the first time, with an additional 58 members of the airwing also becoming new fathers during the deployment.
The extended deployment drew attention to conditions aboard the carrier, with families reporting concerns about supply shortages and crew morale during the mission. The Navy initially downplayed issues but later acknowledged some problems had occurred. Captain Daniel Keeler, the ship’s commanding officer, characterized the challenges as typical for such an extended deployment and stated that the crew had access to four meals daily. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the ship on Wednesday to present the Presidential Unit Citation, the military’s highest unit honor, commending the crew for their resilience and mission completion.
The Lincoln’s deployment of more than 10 months was the second exceptionally long carrier deployment during the Iran conflict. The USS Gerald R. Ford had completed a deployment lasting 326 days in May, setting a record for the post-Vietnam War era. The Lincoln’s time at sea represented the second-longest carrier deployment in recent decades. Crew members described limited communication with families, relying on occasional emails and infrequent messaging applications to maintain contact. The ship departed San Diego in November, transited to the Middle East arriving in January, and participated in operations including airstrikes against Iran on February 28. The vessel made a stop in Thailand early last month before returning to home port.
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