USS Lincoln docks in San Diego, returning home for first time in 321 days

After a record-setting 10-month deployment to the Persian Gulf, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has returned to its Southern California homeport, greeted by loved ones waving American flags. The aircraft carrier had spent a total of 321 days on deployment, the second-longest since the end of the Cold War. During this period, the USS Lincoln logged an impressive 265 days at sea without a port visit, marking the longest such period in Naval history.

One sailor described the deployment as "very tough," with thousands of crew members experiencing significant highs and lows. The Lincoln crew includes nearly 60 fathers who got to meet their newborn babies during this deployment. Mackayla Morris, a sailor aboard the Lincoln, shared that they had been holding on for dear life just to complete the mission.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the Lincoln as it made its way to San Diego, praising the crew's effectiveness on the battlefield and the necessity of the mission. He also acknowledged the challenges faced by the crew, including dwindling supplies and low morale. However, he denied reports of deteriorating conditions on board.

The deployment was marked by intense combat operations and reports of deteriorating conditions aboard the vessel. Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed that there have been eight suicide attempts during the extended deployment, tied to the war in Iran.

Capt. Dan Keeler, the commanding officer of the USS Abraham Lincoln, expressed his confidence in the crew's readiness for their homecoming. The crew was excited to reunite with their families, and on the last day of school, they would say goodbye to their fellow aviators. A sailor on the Lincoln proudly recounted his role in launching thousands of military flights off the vessel's well-worn flight deck.