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The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has returned to San Diego after a 265-day mission at sea. It was one of the longest and most demanding deployments in recent U.S. Navy history.
The carrier and its strike group served at sea for more than 10 months. The crew set a record by spending more than 260 consecutive days at sea without making a port call.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with the crew before the carrier arrived in San Diego, thanked the sailors and presented them with the Presidential Unit Citation, one of the military’s highest unit awards.
U.S. defense officials said the USS Abraham Lincoln played a significant role in operations related to the conflict with Iran. The strike group carried out thousands of combat missions, launched cruise missiles at targets, intercepted drones and took part in naval operations directed against Iran’s military capabilities.
Pentagon officials said the crew maintained combat readiness despite intense combat operations and logistical challenges. Hegseth praised the sailors for contributing to U.S. strategic objectives and for their ability to sustain operations under difficult conditions.
Crew welfare in focus during lengthy deployment
The carrier’s lengthy deployment also raised concerns about the welfare of its crew. Limited supplies, fewer food options and mounting stress prompted questions about conditions aboard the ship during the final phase of the mission.
The U.S. Navy confirmed that several sailors experienced mental health crises during the deployment. Military experts say long periods at sea, with limited opportunities for rest, going ashore and contacting family, can create difficulties for service members.
Navy leadership said essential services and support systems remained available to crew members throughout the deployment.
Sailors reunite with families in San Diego
Families, friends and supporters welcomed the sailors ashore as the carrier entered San Diego Bay. Some crew members reunited with their children after a long separation; others held their children for the first time since they were born.
According to the Navy, dozens of fathers serving aboard the carrier met their newborn children for the first time after coming ashore. A caption accompanying a Reuters photo dated Oct. 8, 2026, said sailor Ryan Resurreccion embraced his son Ari after the USS Abraham Lincoln returned home.
The length of the mission has also intensified debate over how long U.S. forces should remain deployed abroad during a conflict. Aircraft carrier deployments typically last six to nine months, but security requirements and military operations can extend them.
The carrier’s extended presence in the Middle East was part of Washington’s efforts to maintain pressure on Iran. Rising energy prices and the financial costs of the operations are among the issues being debated in the United States ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
The USS Abraham Lincoln’s return comes as diplomatic efforts continue alongside military and economic pressure in U.S.-Iran relations. Officials have highlighted the carrier’s operational results, while the lengthy deployment has also drawn attention to the effects of military operations on service members.
