USS Abraham Lincoln returns home after 265 days without port calls
USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego on October 8 after nearly eleven months deployed. The aircraft carrier spent a record 265 consecutive days at sea without a port visit during the mission.
Al Jazeera reported the homecoming on October 9. The carrier supported U.S. operations against Iran during the U.S.-Israel war that began in February. A U.S. military account gives the total deployment as 322 days, while USNI News reports 321. That overall duration is distinct from the confirmed period without a port call.
Families and friends greeted sailors at the base. Abel Ramirez, 20, told Associated Press his parents had traveled from Texas to meet him. He expressed relief after the long separation and said there had been moments when he doubted he would ever leave the ship.
The prolonged deployment drew scrutiny of conditions aboard. News reports described shortages of food and basic supplies, deteriorating mental health and suicide attempts. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao acknowledged in August that some service members required mental health treatment. He said there had been no deaths and that adjustments to menus during interruptions in fresh resupply had not resulted in missed meals.
Pete Hegseth praised the crew on October 7 and accused the media of trying to portray the ship as a symbol of a failed mission and low morale. Donald Trump also rejected reports of poor conditions. At an August 17 meeting, he said the carrier was well maintained. Earlier that month, he had said its time at sea was not long enough.
The homecoming came amid public opposition to the war. A Pew Research Center poll released October 8 found that 65% of U.S. adults disapproved of Trump's handling of the conflict and 33% approved. Disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz also intensified concerns about fuel and other living costs ahead of the midterm elections.
Families described hopes of returning to ordinary routines. Alma Solano Velez said her husband had complained about limited food and showers. He looked forward to seeing their four-year-old daughter and had requested favorite meals, including oxtail, barbecue chicken, broccoli and shrimp empanadas.
