Thousands turn out to welcome weary USS Lincoln sailors after fraught stretch at sea

Military families admit ‘mixed emotions’ as aircraft carrier finally returns to San Diego after grueling deployment that took severe toll

• USS Lincoln arrives at San Diego base – live updates

By 4am on Thursday, the sky still pitch black, 19-year-old Pvt Grayden Monroe and his mom had arrived to the naval base in San Diego, California, the very first military family members huddled on a set of metal bleachers overlooking the dark water. They were waiting for Monroe’s 21-year-old sister to step off the USS Abraham Lincoln, the embattled aircraft carrier that has been at sea for the better part of a year.

Monroe, a soldier stationed at Fort Campbell, was wearing his army uniform for the occasion. “I hope she’s proud of me,” he said of his sister, “and I hope she knows damn well that I’m just as proud of her.”