US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln returns to San Diego after record deployment

On Thursday, the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln docked in San Diego, concluding a remarkable 265-day deployment focused on supporting the United States' war against Iran. The carrier's continuous presence at sea raised questions about the welfare of its crew, who experienced significant challenges during the mission. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the vessel on Wednesday, awarding the crew the Presidential Unit Citation, the nation's highest military honor bestowed upon a unit.

Despite initial denials of dysfunction or low morale, the Lincoln garnered considerable attention due to reports of stress, mental health issues, and shortages of essential supplies among its personnel. The Navy had initially dismissed the concerns but later admitted to some problems, such as limited meal options due to restricted resupply options.

Furthermore, eight sailors attempted suicide during the deployment, a figure deemed relatively low for a group of approximately 6,000 personnel serving for ten months. The Abraham Lincoln had initially embarked from California in November 2025 to serve in the South China Sea and was subsequently redirected to the Middle East before the onset of US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February 2026.