USS Lincoln Completes 322-Day Deployment in San Diego Bay Amid Scrutiny

USS Lincoln returns to San Diego after 322 days at sea, ending one of the longest U.S. military deployments, with families reuniting and a mural commemoratin...

Editorial Desk

October 9, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — San Diego, United States — The USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego Bay following a 322-day deployment, marking one of the longest maritime missions in U.S. military history. The aircraft carrier arrived draped in red, white, and blue banners, greeted by family members and supporters eager for reunions.

Crew members celebrated their return, waving to onlookers and dancing on deck as loved ones cheered from the shore. Among those awaiting the ship’s arrival were 64 parents who had been separated from their newborns for months, including sailor Ledbetter, who expressed his eagerness to hold his baby boy.

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The deployment, part of Operation Epic Fury, involved over 10 months of military engagement in the Middle East, with the ship dropping more than 1,145 weapons. A crew-created mural depicted the 1,463 targets struck during the mission, an unusual artistic effort in the armed forces. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded the Presidential Unit Citation to the crew, defending the mission against claims of low morale or failure.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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