The USS Abraham Lincoln has returned from a long deployment that set a modern record for time at sea. The US Navy aircraft carrier spent 321 days away from its homeport in San Diego. It also completed 286 days at sea without a port visit.
The deployment began in November 2025. It lasted far longer than planned due to Operation Epic Fury, the US military campaign linked to the war with Iran. The long mission placed heavy demands on sailors, aircraft crews, and support teams.
When fighting began in late February, the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group played a key role in US military operations. The group used its aircraft to strike targets and protect naval forces from attacks.
The carrier’s air wing, known as Carrier Air Wing 9, carried out nearly 4,000 combat flights during the 40-day operation. The unit included nine squadrons. Its aircraft included F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters, and EA-18G Growler electronic attack planes.
The Navy said the air wing completed 14,037 aircraft sorties during the full deployment. It also recorded 31,460 hours of forward-deployed flight time. The aircraft used an estimated 20.5 million gallons of aviation fuel to support their work.
During Operation Epic Fury, the air wing launched 1,499 precision weapons. These weapons dropped more than 1.37 million pounds of ordnance on selected targets. The targets included missile sites, defense factories, military facilities, and Iranian naval assets.
The aircraft also helped protect the carrier strike group from enemy attacks. The Navy said the mix of older and newer aircraft showed how future naval air forces could work in combat.
The F-35C stealth fighter played an important role in the mission. It is designed to avoid enemy radar and operate in heavily defended airspace. It worked alongside other aircraft that provide strike power, electronic warfare, and support.
After a ceasefire in April and the end of Operation Epic Fury, the strike group took part in a US Navy blockade. When Iran began targeting commercial ships, the group also supported attacks on Iranian coastal defenses and missile sites. It later helped enforce a second blockade before starting its journey home.
The carrier traveled more than 93,000 nautical miles during its deployment. It received fuel, food, and other supplies through 72 replenishments at sea. These transfers helped the ship remain active without needing to enter a port.
The Navy awarded the strike group the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during the mission. The award is one of the highest honors given to a military unit for exceptional service in combat.
However, the long deployment also raised concerns about the health and welfare of sailors. The strike group included three guided-missile destroyers, which also faced heavy demands during the mission. Reports pointed to supply problems and the strain caused by the extended war effort.
Written responses submitted to Congress by Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao revealed eight suicide attempts among sailors assigned to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. The responses said some sailors tried to jump overboard. No deaths by suicide were reported.
Cao praised the sailors for their work under difficult conditions. He said the men and women of Carrier Strike Group 3 had shown strong resolve. He also said decisions to extend deployments were never made lightly.
The acting secretary stressed that the Navy remained committed to crew health, safety, morale, and fleet readiness. The reported incidents have added to concerns about the effects of long missions on service members.
Navy leaders say they are reviewing lessons from the deployment. The service plans to load carriers with more supplies so they can remain at sea longer if normal support routes face problems.
The Navy is also working on quality-of-life improvements for sailors and Marines. These efforts include helping service members stay in touch with family during long periods away from home.
The Abraham Lincoln mission shows the reach of US carrier forces during a major conflict. It also highlights the costs of keeping ships and crews at sea for months without a port visit. As the Navy reviews the record deployment, crew welfare and supply needs remain key issues for future missions.
