USS Abraham Lincoln Returns After Grueling Iran War Deployment

The USS Abraham Lincoln is scheduled to return to Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego on Thursday, October 8, 2026, after a 320-day deployment in the Middle East. Operating as part of Operation Epic Fury during the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, the carrier spent over 300 consecutive days overseas, including a stretch of 286 days without a port call. This marks one of the longest carrier missions since the Vietnam War.

The deployment was characterized by severe logistical failures and mental health crises. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed in a letter to Congress that eight sailors within the strike group attempted suicide, while other reports indicated two service members attempted to jump overboard. These conditions were exacerbated by food and medicine shortages after Iran destroyed a U.S. logistics center in Bahrain.

Vice Adm. Marc Miguez defended the mission's military necessity, noting the group conducted over 13,000 flights and withstood significant Iranian attacks. However, U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs attributed the crew's suffering to a lack of planning and strategy by President Donald Trump. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is scheduled to welcome the remaining 5,000 sailors upon their arrival in San Diego.