USS Abraham Lincoln to Return to San Diego After Nine-Month Middle East Deployment
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its roughly 5,000 crew members are set to depart the Middle East and head back to San Diego, ending a deployment that was extended by the conflict with Iran.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is departing the Middle East, ending a nine-month deployment that began when the ship left San Diego on Nov. 21. The carrier, which has supported thousands of aircraft sorties during the war with Iran that started in February, is expected to take about three weeks to return to its home port in San Diego.
The Japan-based carrier USS George Washington arrived in the region to replace the Lincoln. Family members of crew have raised concerns about mental-health conditions, sanitation and food supplies aboard the ship, prompting inquiries from lawmakers.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao described recent media coverage of the situation as "dishonest," while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the president dismissed the concerns. U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper visited the vessel, acknowledging that extended sea deployments are "uniquely challenging and tough" and emphasizing the need to address mental health alongside physical health.
The Navy reported no rise in suicide attempts or ideation on board and is investigating an Aug. 3 incident in which a sailor fell overboard and was later recovered. One parent, Jefferson Kelley, expressed eagerness for his son’s return, saying he would travel immediately to bring his child home.