USS Abraham Lincoln Returns After Prolonged Iran Deployment

The USS Abraham Lincoln has returned to San Diego after an extended deployment supporting U.S. operations against Iran, including a reported 264–265 consecutive days at sea. Families welcomed sailors home amid reports of food and hygiene-supply shortages and strain on crew morale; the ship’s commander said the difficulties arose during an unusually long deployment. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented the carrier strike group with a Presidential Unit Citation for its role in Operation Epic Fury. Combat markings on the carrier’s superstructure claim more drone kills and fewer vessel kills than figures in the group’s official commendation: the document credits the group with downing 77 one-way attack drones and sinking 64 vessels, while the painted tallies differ. The markings appear to reflect strike-group claims rather than a verified count attributable to the carrier alone.