USS Abraham Lincoln Returns After Record 10-Month Deployment Amid Controversy

The USS Abraham Lincoln returned to its homeport in San Diego after a 265-day deployment at sea, a mission that became the focus of controversy due to reports of supply shortages, deteriorating mental health, and suicide attempts among the crew. The ship supported operations related to the Iran conflict, marking a record for the longest continuous time at sea for an aircraft carrier in recent history.

Families of the sailors expressed relief and anxiety upon the ship's arrival, having been aware of the difficult conditions their loved ones faced. Reports of food shortages led many families to send lists of desired meals for their returning sailors. "It feels amazing," said Abel Ramirez, 20, on his first deployment. "There was a certain point when I never thought I would come off."

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed that eight suicide attempts were recorded across the carrier, its air wing, and accompanying ships during the deployment. Additionally, one sailor attempted to go overboard in March but was stopped by shipmates and later medically evacuated. Despite these incidents, experts caution that the number of attempts alone does not necessarily indicate an unusually high rate compared to the broader Navy.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met the crew aboard the Lincoln prior to its arrival in San Diego, presenting them with the Presidential Unit Citation. Hegseth pushed back against characterizations of the deployment as a symbol of failure, stating, "what makes the US military and the US Navy and all these sailors different is that you adapt and that you’re resilient and you overcome - you finish the mission nonetheless."

The carrier departed San Diego in November and reached the Middle East in January, becoming involved in combat operations. The Navy acknowledged that while food supplies were adequate, resupply limitations due to combat operations led to reduced meal options for a period. Sailors and their families described long shifts, plumbing issues, moldy showers, and reduced food portions when resupply became difficult.

During its deployment, the Lincoln strike group, comprising approximately 6,000 personnel, executed nearly 3,700 combat missions. These included launching 450 Tomahawk cruise missiles, shooting down 77 drones, sinking 64 Iranian warships, and destroying 21 anti-ship cruise missiles. The ship's crew received a stop in Thailand in early October on their journey back from the Middle East.

The USS Abraham Lincoln's extended deployment follows a similar pattern seen with other carriers. The USS Gerald R. Ford completed a 326-day deployment in May, the longest for an aircraft carrier in 50 years, though it did not include as many uninterrupted days at sea as the Lincoln's mission. The USS George Washington relieved the Lincoln in the Middle East in August.