San Diego – The nuclear‑powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is on its way back to its home port after a historic deployment that kept the ship at sea for nearly 275 consecutive days. A U.S. official told NBC News the carrier has been sailing home for several days and is expected to dock in San Diego within the next few weeks.
Relief by USS George Washington
The Lincoln was relieved in the Middle East by the Asia‑based carrier USS George Washington, which is now operating under U.S. Central Command. The change comes after the Lincoln spent more than 200 straight days supporting operations against Iran, including a re‑imposed blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
Concerns over crew welfare
During the lengthy deployment, crew members reported heightened stress, mental‑health challenges, and shortages of basic supplies such as food and hygiene products. Several Democratic members of Congress have asked the Department of Defense for greater accountability. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded that the reports were “completely misrepresented.”
Hegseth recently spoke with the ship’s crew, and Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, visited the carrier last weekend. In a Wall Street Journal editorial, Admiral Cooper praised the crew’s performance, saying they “delivered a performance for the ages, and now you are going home.”
Presidential comments
President Donald Trump downplayed the reports, describing the nearly nine‑month deployment as a “good period of time” and noting that sailors have historically been out at sea for longer stretches. Trump said a retired admiral assured him the ship was “beautifully maintained and beautifully taken care of,” though he did not name the admiral.
Strategic implications
The return of the Lincoln leaves the Pacific without an American carrier strike group, as the USS George H.W. Bush and the newly arrived George Washington remain in the Middle East. Analysts warn that the open‑ended operations with Iran are straining service members and equipment, and that the absence of a carrier in the Asia‑Pacific may be short‑lived if the Navy deploys another vessel in the coming months.
While hostilities with Iran have eased in recent weeks, the U.S. Navy continues to enforce the blockade, and Secretary Hegseth has said the United States can maintain it “indefinitely.” The upcoming homecoming of the Lincoln will give the crew a chance to rest, receive medical care, and address the mental‑health concerns raised during the deployment.
What’s next for San Diego?
Local officials and veterans’ groups in San Diego are preparing to welcome the carrier and its crew. The ship’s return is expected to boost morale in the community, which has long supported the Navy’s presence at Naval Base San Diego. A series of public events, including a ship‑tour and a ceremony honoring the crew’s service, are being planned for the coming weeks.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
