After a 272-day deployment, the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in San Diego on Thursday, concluding its mission in the Middle East. For the thousands of sailors on board, however, returning to port does not mark the end of the journey.
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About 5,000 crew members still have nearly 13,000 nautical miles to cover, a journey expected to take four to five weeks.
USS Abraham Lincoln departed San Diego on November 21, 2025. During its lengthy time at sea, the ship made only two brief stops: the first in Guam in December, and the second in Oman, where it refueled.
The aircraft carrier’s main mission involved US military operations against Iran, at a time when the United States had significantly increased its forces in the Middle East.
The deployment has been described as one of the most difficult for the US Navy in recent years. The crew spent months without significant opportunities for shore leave, while severe difficulties with living conditions aboard the ship were reported in the final period.
Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about shortages of basic supplies, water-quality problems, damage to sanitation facilities, and the deterioration of the mental health of some sailors.
There are suspicions that the supply situation worsened after Iran destroyed a US naval base in Manama, Bahrain. The base was one of the main support hubs for US forces in the Persian Gulf.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command, has attempted to ease some of the complaints and described some of the problems as “old news.” In an article published in The Wall Street Journal, he wished the Lincoln crew a safe return to their families.
However, the departure of USS Abraham Lincoln does not mean that the United States is reducing its military presence in the region. Its place has been taken by USS George Washington, the US aircraft carrier based in Japan, which has now been placed under CENTCOM’s operational control.
Outside the Persian Gulf, the US continues to have around 20 warships in the region. This force includes two carrier strike groups built around USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington, as well as an amphibious force with a Marine Expeditionary Unit and several destroyers.
Another task of these forces is enforcing the renewed blockade of Iranian ports ordered by President Donald Trump. The blockade has now entered its 38th day.
