USS Lincoln Set to Return Home After Record 300-Day Deployment in Middle East
USS Lincoln crew returns home after 300 days at sea. Pentagon acknowledges extended deployment's impact on sailors' mental health.
POLICY WIRE — San Diego, United States — After more than 300 days on the open ocean, the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln is set to return to its home port this week.
The aircraft carrier, carrying approximately 7,500 service members, is scheduled to arrive in San Diego on Thursday. The lengthy deployment has drawn significant attention and criticism due to its extended duration in the Middle East.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth admitted during a recent visit that he was responsible for the ship’s prolonged mission, stating he was the only thing standing between you and home and that he had signed the orders to extend the deployment twice, according to The Associated Press.
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Recent reports from the Navy revealed eight suicide attempts among crew members aboard the USS Lincoln. The ship departed San Diego in November and was initially expected to return before summer. However, its mission was extended following the outbreak of conflict in Iran in February.
The vessel spent 286 consecutive days at sea before docking in Thailand in early September for a brief respite. By that time, family members of those on board had expressed concerns about food shortages and declining morale among the crew.
Some relatives described the conditions as extremely difficult, with one comparing the situation to a scene from the television series ‘American Horror Story.’ Initially, Navy officials denied any rise in suicidal thoughts or incidents aboard the ship. However, a subsequent report confirmed that attempts occurred across multiple units, including the carrier air wing, strike group, and escorting destroyers.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
