The USS Abraham Lincoln and its more than 4,500 sailors returned to San Diego on Thursday afternoon after a 321-day deployment. The aircraft carrier, which made a stop in Thailand last month on its way back from the Middle East, spent months supporting US military operations against Iran.
Described as one of the most operationally intense and consequential of the modern era, the deployment was recognized by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. On Wednesday, Hegseth flew to the carrier to award the crew the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest honor a unit can receive.
However, the record deployment was marked by severe challenges and concerns regarding crew conditions. The crew spent a record 265 days of uninterrupted time at sea amid repeated deployment extensions. These conditions led to reports of dwindling supply shortages, harsh environments, and deteriorating morale and mental health, including reported suicide attempts.
Families of the crew arrived hours ahead of the carrier's return after an emotional rollercoaster. Many described crying and losing sleep as they heard reports of the dwindling supplies and the mental health struggles faced by the sailors during their time at sea.