USS Abraham Lincoln returns home following troubled Middle East deployment

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier arrived at its home port in San Diego, California, on Thursday, 8 October, concluding a nearly year-long deployment in the Middle East and South China Sea. The mission, which supported U.S. military operations against Iran, was marked by reported welfare concerns and internal crises during its extended time at sea. Deployment logistics and combat record The nuclear-powered warship departed California in November 2025. Originally tasked for duty in the South China Sea, the vessel was rerouted to the Middle East to support operations following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that commenced in late February. According to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who boarded the vessel on Wednesday, 7 October, the strike group conducted 10,000 sorties and 23,000 combat flight hours. Hegseth announced a presidential unit citation for the crew, citing "extraordinary heroism against enemy forces." Welfare concerns and suicide attempts The deployment length caused significant strain on the crew, prompting families and lawmakers to raise alarms in August regarding suicide attempts and resource shortages. In a letter to a lawmaker released last month, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed eight suicide attempts within the Lincoln carrier strike group. No fatalities were reported. The correspondence detailed incidents including a sailor going overboard in early August and another attempting the same in March before being stopped by crewmates. Resource…