USS Abraham Lincoln Returns After Historic Deployment
Thousands of sailors returned home Thursday on the USS Abraham Lincoln, docking at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, after a significant 10-month deployment. Emotional reunions unfolded as sailors stepped off the carrier to cheers, tears, and hugs. Among the many emotional scenes were new fathers meeting babies born during their absence.
The deployment, supporting the Iran war, stretched over a record 265 days of uninterrupted sea time. Families endured worry due to reports of supply shortages and mental health concerns among the crew. Communication was limited, relying on occasional emails and rare WhatsApp calls.
Abel Ramirez, 20, expressed joy as his first deployment ended. “It feels amazing,” he said, looking for his parents who traveled from Texas to welcome him. Cassity Garduque, 14, excitedly reconnected with her mother, a sailor, after the return. “It feels really overwhelming,” she explained, happy her mother no longer eats daily ramen and can now celebrate.
Capt. Daniel Keeler, the ship’s commander, noted the challenges faced were usual for long deployments. The crew had access to four meals daily. Despite initial downplaying, naval leaders acknowledged issues aboard as President Donald Trump and others highlighted the deployment’s length.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the unit’s resilience when he awarded them the Presidential Unit Citation. He rejected attempts to label the Lincoln as dysfunctional, stating, “You adapt, and you’re resilient.”
The USS Abraham Lincoln’s deployment of 322 days nearly matched the USS Gerald R. Ford’s previous 326-day record. The naval base in Coronado saw 64 fathers meeting their babies for the first time. Kathy Monterrosa, holding her 6-month-old, highlighted concerns during her pregnancy due to ship conditions.
Sailor Steven Rivas, overwhelmed with emotion, embraced his 7-month-old upon return. Families noted the challenging conditions like “lack of food and showers” but now celebrate reunions and return to favorite meals.
The deployment included participation in significant combat operations such as launching airstrikes alongside U.S. and Israeli forces. Despite challenges, naval leaders emphasized the success, including many combat missions and military actions.
The USS George Washington, typically Asia-based, replaced the Lincoln in the Middle East, allowing the Lincoln to briefly stop in Thailand before returning to San Diego. Long deployments can strain service members and equipment, but the Lincoln’s crew demonstrated determination and resilience.