U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln as the carrier headed home after a record 264 days at sea without a port call. The Navy has reported eight suicide attempts among members of the carrier strike group during the deployment.
Hegseth flew to the carrier’s flight deck on Wednesday, a day before its expected arrival in San Diego. He presented the crew with a citation from President Donald Trump and praised sailors for their resilience during the extended operation in the Iran war.
Hegseth said the Lincoln carried out 3,693 combat sorties, launched 450 Tomahawk cruise missiles and fired 1.37 million pounds of ordnance. He also said the strike group sank 64 Iranian warships and destroyed 21 anti-ship missiles. Those figures were presented by Hegseth during his remarks.
The carrier strike group spent 264 consecutive days at sea without a port call, a record according to the Pentagon. The Navy has reported eight suicide attempts among sailors in the group during the deployment. The Associated Press said the group includes thousands of service members across the carrier crew, air wing, escort destroyers and staff.
The unusually long deployment drew scrutiny after reports of low morale and supply shortages aboard the ship. Hegseth acknowledged that resupply had been difficult and told the crew they deserved to see their families as soon as possible.
The carrier’s return comes as the U.S.-Iran war continues and Washington weighs its next steps. The operation has also become a political issue ahead of November’s congressional elections because of its cost and effects on global energy markets.