Pentagon chief visits carrier after tough Iran war deployment

On Wednesday, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the USS Abraham Lincoln crew for their "extraordinary heroism" during their deployment following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran. The carrier, which departed from California in November 2025, was diverted to the Middle East amidst the conflict and remained at sea until early September.

Hegseth highlighted the ship's accomplishments, mentioning ten thousand sorties, 23,000 combat flight hours, and nearly 4,000 combat sorties. He also acknowledged the challenges faced by the crew, including reported suicide attempts and food shortages, which he stated were misrepresented by the media. However, Hegseth emphasized that the crew's reactions should inspire pride.

In August, concerns were raised about the Lincoln's well-being, with military families and lawmakers pointing out the incidents. The acting Navy Secretary later confirmed eight suicide attempts among the crew members during the deployment, with no fatalities reported.