Key facts
- The USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego after a 321-day deployment.
- The carrier spent 264 consecutive days at sea without a port call.
- Reports of hazardous living conditions, including food and supply shortages, emerged during the deployment.
- Eight service members from the Lincoln attempted suicide during the deployment.
- The ship was diverted to the Middle East due to the war with Iran.
Thousands of people gathered at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California, on Thursday to welcome the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier home after an extended 321-day deployment. The atmosphere was festive, with live music, performers, and handmade signs, as families reunited with sailors.
The Lincoln, which departed San Diego last November, had its deployment significantly extended due to its diversion to the Middle East amid the war with Iran. The mission ultimately spanned 321 days, including a record 264 consecutive days at sea without a port call, according to the Defense Department.
During the prolonged deployment, reports emerged of hazardous living conditions aboard the carrier, including shortages of food and basic supplies, and a decline in mental health and morale among the approximately 5,000 sailors and marines. The US Navy confirmed last month that eight service members had attempted suicide since the deployment began. These reports sparked a political debate, with some Democratic lawmakers calling for an investigation, while Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attempted to downplay the situation.
For many families, the return brought mixed emotions. Brenda Rivas, whose husband missed their daughter's birth, expressed sadness over the time lost. Another mother, Dawn, who watched the ship's arrival from Texas due to the anticipated chaos in San Diego, shared her son's accounts of dwindling rations and lack of basic necessities like soap and toothpaste. She noted that her son, now in his 30s, acted as a father figure to younger sailors struggling with the conditions. Dawn also expressed frustration with public comments, including those from Trump, that dismissed the sailors' hardships.
Despite the challenges, the sailors' focus on loved ones, particularly their children, served as a significant source of motivation. For Grayden Monroe, a soldier and brother of a sailor aboard, the experience highlighted the toughness required during deployments and inspired his admiration for his sister.