Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln as it approached San Diego following a lengthy wartime deployment to the Middle East, marking the end of a combat mission that generated intense domestic political debate and operational scrutiny.
The massive warship is scheduled to dock in San Diego after an extended tour at sea, which included more than 260 continuous days without a port call, according to Pentagon figures. The carrier strike group left California in November 2025 for duty in the South China Sea before being rerouted to the Middle East ahead of US-Israeli attacks on Iran that commenced in late February, according to reporting by The Times of Israel.
USS Abraham Lincoln Sinks 64 Iranian Warships
During its time in the region, the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group engaged in sustained operations against Iranian forces. The deployment involved 3,693 combat sorties, the sinking of 64 Iranian warships, the destruction of 21 anti-ship cruise missiles, the launch of 450 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles, and the expenditure of 1.37 million pounds of ordnance. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted during his address to the crew that despite the rapid pace of combat operations, the ship suffered no casualties and experienced no aircraft mishaps.
The Times of Israel reported that Hegseth detailed even broader operational figures during his address on the ship, citing 10,000 total sorties, 23,000 combat flight hours, and nearly 4,000 combat sorties. During his visit to the flight deck, Hegseth announced the award of a presidential unit citation to the strike group for extraordinary heroism against enemy forces.
| Metric / Asset | Operational Total |
|---|---|
| Continuous Days at Sea Without Port Call | Over 260 days |
| Combat Sorties | 3,693 |
| Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles Launched | 450 |
| Iranian Warships Sunk | 64 |
| Ordnance Expended | 1.37 million pounds |
War Costs 3 Billion Dollars Monthly
The extended deployment unfolded against the backdrop of the broader US-Iran war, an ongoing conflict that has influenced global energy markets and become a significant political factor ahead of November midterm elections. The war carries a financial cost of approximately $3 billion monthly.
The mission also drew scrutiny regarding the well-being of the crew. The carrier strike group recorded eight suicide attempts among US sailors during its time at sea. Addressing the ship’s company, Hegseth criticized certain media coverage of the deployment, asserting that some reports attempted to characterize the USS Abraham Lincoln as a symbol of dysfunction or low morale rather than acknowledging the achievements of the service members.
“What the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group did, no other carrier strike group has ever done,” Hegseth told the sailors while at sea in the Pacific, according to The Times of Israel.
Hegseth Welcomes 5,000 Sailors Back to San Diego
Ahead of the ship’s arrival in San Diego, Hegseth acknowledged the strain of the prolonged deployment and the difficulties associated with resupply during active combat operations. He remarked to the crew that he was the one who signed the orders repeatedly extending the deployment and joked that he was currently the only thing standing between them and home.
“You deserve to see your families and see them as soon as possible,” Hegseth stated.
The return brings an end to a deployment that involved roughly 5,000 sailors, aviators, and Marines operating around the clock under intense noise, tension, and the constant threat of hostile action.
