Archive · 9 Oct 2026
USS Abraham Lincoln Returns to San Diego After Record Deployment
The USS Abraham Lincoln is a large Navy ship that came back to San Diego after being away for about 321 days.
It went first to the South China Sea and later to the Middle East.
The crew also stopped in Thailand in September.
Thousands of family members waited to welcome the sailors home.
More than 100 fathers met babies who were born while they were away.
Some families said it was difficult to speak with sailors by phone or video.
The administration said eight service members in the carrier group attempted suicide, but none died.
It also said the ship had enough food, although there were fewer main dish choices for a short time.
The reports disagree on whether the crew spent 264 or 265 days at sea without a port call.
The USS Abraham Lincoln returned to its San Diego home port on Thursday after a deployment of about 321 days.
The carrier left California in November 2025 for the South China Sea and was later rerouted to the Middle East; it made a port call in Thailand in early September.
Thousands of family members welcomed the crew, including more than 100 fathers meeting babies born during the deployment.
Accounts differ on the continuous time at sea: one report says 265 days, while another cites 264 days.
The administration acknowledged eight suicide attempts in the carrier strike group, with no deaths, and said food supplies were adequate despite a short-term reduction in entrée choices.
- Who
- The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, its crew, and their families.
- What
- The carrier returned to its home port after a lengthy deployment.
- When
- Thursday; the carrier left California in November 2025.
- Where
- San Diego, California.
- Why
- The reports say the deployment included duty in the South China Sea and the Middle East.
Reported Concerns
Administration Response
Crew welfare
Reported Concerns
Families and lawmakers raised concerns about reported suicide attempts and food shortages, while family members described difficulty communicating with sailors.
Administration Response
The administration acknowledged eight suicide attempts but said none resulted in deaths.
Food aboard the carrier
Reported Concerns
Families and lawmakers raised concerns about food shortages during the deployment.
Administration Response
The administration said food supplies were adequate, though limited resupply briefly reduced entrée options from two to one.
- Deployment length
- Reported as 321 days
- Home port
- San Diego, California
- Departure
- California, November 2025
- Reported port call
- Thailand, early September
- Continuous time at sea
- Reports differ: 264 or 265 days
- Suicide attempts
- The administration acknowledged eight among strike-group service members and said none died
- Food
- The administration said supplies were adequate; main entrée options briefly fell from two to one
- Award
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a presidential unit citation for the strike group
Sources
Thousands gather to celebrate return of USS Lincoln sailors after record-breaking deployment
USS Lincoln Aircraft Carrier Back In Home Port After Troubled Gulf Deployment