Hugs and tears of joy after USS Abraham Lincoln returns to San Diego

The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group returned to its homeport in San Diego on October 8, 2026, following a 321-day deployment primarily in the Middle East. The deployment set a Naval record for the longest duration at sea without a port visit (265 days) and was the second-longest total deployment since the Cold War. The return featured emotional reunions for the thousands of sailors, including approximately 60 new fathers meeting their children for the first time. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the ship prior to docking, acknowledging the extensions he signed due to mission necessity and combat effectiveness during the conflict with Iran.

The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group returned to its homeport in San Diego on October 8, 2026, following a 321-day deployment primarily in the Middle East. The deployment set a Naval record for the longest duration at sea without a port visit (265 days) and was the second-longest total deployment since the Cold War. The return featured emotional reunions for the thousands of sailors, including approximately 60 new fathers meeting their children for the first time. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the ship prior to docking, acknowledging the extensions he signed due to mission necessity and combat effectiveness during the conflict with Iran.