USS Abraham Lincoln Returns From Record-Setting Deployment Following Combat Operations Against Iran

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego on Thursday, Oct. 8, following a record-setting deployment that included combat operations against Iran, maritime blockades and nearly 11 months away from its home port.

The carrier arrived at Naval Air Station North Island after departing San Diego on Nov. 21, 2025. The Department of War described the deployment as lasting 322 days, with operations across the Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.

During its deployment, the Lincoln traveled more than 93,000 nautical miles, conducted 72 replenishments at sea and received more than 20.5 million gallons of aviation fuel. Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing 9 flew more than 13,000 sorties, totaling approximately 28,500 flight hours.

Combat Operations Against Iran

After entering the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in late January, the Lincoln and Carrier Strike Group 3 assumed a leading role in Operation Epic Fury, operating off Iran’s southern coast.

According to the Navy, the strike group supported 40 days of major combat operations, including nearly 4,000 combat sorties. Aircraft delivered more than 1.5 million pounds of ordnance against thousands of targets, while task force units destroyed more than 100 Iranian drone, missile and small-boat attacks directed against the force.

Following an April 8 ceasefire between the United States and Iran, the strike group shifted to enforcing a maritime blockade of Iranian-flagged vessels in the northern Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.

Combat operations resumed in July in response to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The Lincoln and its air wing supported strikes against Iranian coastal defenses and missile facilities before participating in a second maritime blockade.

The strike group departed the Central Command area of responsibility on Aug. 22 to begin its return voyage.

The Department’s detailed reporting on the Lincoln’s deployment comes after a comparatively quiet period of public operational announcements about the broader conflict. U.S. Central Command issued reports of strikes against Iranian targets through at least Sept. 8, approximately one month before the carrier’s return.

Commanders Address Conditions Aboard Ship

During an Oct. 8 news conference, Navy Capt. Daniel Keeler, the Lincoln’s commanding officer, addressed complaints about food, drinking water and plumbing conditions aboard the carrier during its extended deployment.

Keeler acknowledged that supplies became strained during combat operations in March and April, when maintaining supply lines was more complicated. He said the crew nevertheless had sufficient food and equipment to continue its missions. “I had all the supplies I needed to conduct combat,” Keeler said. “We never missed a mission.”

According to Keeler, the carrier served four meals daily, totaling between 14,000 and 16,000 meals for the crew.

He also acknowledged occasional plumbing problems but described them as routine maintenance issues aboard a vessel of the Lincoln’s size, saying trained sailors repaired equipment when problems arose.

Rear Adm. Robert Loughran, commander of Carrier Strike Group 3, said the deployment also provided lessons in supplying naval forces during sustained combat operations, particularly as the number of U.S. forces in the region increased.

A Record-Setting Voyage

The Navy reported that the Lincoln spent 208 uninterrupted days at sea between stops in Guam and Oman and completed a separate stretch of 286 consecutive days at sea between its departure from San Diego and arrival in Thailand.

The carrier made brief stops in Guam, Duqm, Oman, and Pattaya, Thailand, during the deployment.

The day before the Lincoln returned home, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited the carrier to thank sailors and Marines for their service during Operation Epic Fury.

Keeler credited the approximately 5,000 sailors and Marines across the strike group with sustaining operations throughout the deployment.

The carrier’s return marks the end of one of the Navy’s longest modern deployments, following months of combat operations, maritime enforcement and extended periods at sea.