USS Lincoln docks in San Diego Bay following scrutinized 322-day deployment

ABOARD THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN — Draped in red, white and blue striped banners, the USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in San Diego Bay after 322 days at sea. It ended one of the longest maritime deployments in U.S. military history, returning home to eager loved ones, as well as ongoing scrutiny over past reports of low morale. Elated crew members lined the decks portside — some waved to the waiting crowds, and others danced as their loved ones cheered from below. “It’s a combination of the day before Christmas and the last day of school,” the commanding officer, Capt. Dan Keeler, told NBC News, adding that some of the crewmembers are just 18 years old. “They are amazing, you know, legends and heroes,” he said. “Every single one of them.” Among the first to depart from Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado will be 64 parents who have been waiting months to meet their babies for the first time, The Associated Press reported. USS Lincoln sailor will meet his baby boy when ship docks Sailor Brent Ledbetter told NBC News that he has watched his son grow via videos and photos sent from his wife, an air traffic control officer who was also assigned to the ship. She was relieved of duty because of her pregnancy. “I just want to hold him, play with him,” Ledbetter said. The Lincoln’s return to Coronado caps off more than 10 months of U.S. military engagement in the Middle East. The aircraft carrier drew national attention over reports of supply shortages and at least eight suicide attempts. The ship was deployed as a part of Operation Epic Fury, a mission that was “laser-focused” on destroying Iranian offensive missiles and missile production, Iran’s navy and other security infrastructure, the Defense Department said in February. It was at sea without a port call for 286 days, the second-longest deployment since the Vietnam War, and surpassed 300 consecutive days overseas overall. The USS Gerald R. Ford set the record for longest deployment by an aircraft carrier at 326 days, which ended this year, the AP reported. Families and loved ones of crewmembers arrived hours ahead of the carrier’s return Thursday, waiting in line to get on the naval base near San Diego. The Lincoln and its air wing dropped more than 1,145 weapons in its 10 months at sea. Some of the crew painted a mural depicting the 1,463 objects hit during Operation Epic Fury. “Over on the far right, you can see all the submarines that were sunk by the strike group, and then down below, we’re still working on it, but that’s going to represent every bomb that was dropped on an air surface target,” said Cmdr. Cody Forsythe, an air operations officer who is among the 5,000 crewmembers aboard the aircraft carrier. A mural like this is rare in the armed services, he said. Forsythe estimates the last time service members undertook a project similar to the mural was back in the 1940s. Crewmember Isabella Norfleet said, “We try to make our impact on the boat, make it last, make the morale better.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth flew out to the carrier Wednesday to give the crew the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest honor a unit can receive, which is typically reserved for significant achievement in combat. He pushed back against what he said were efforts to turn the “Lincoln into some sort of a symbol, a symbol of dysfunction or a symbol of low morale or a symbol of a failed mission.” “I draw inspiration from the mission that you executed so successfully. You have changed the arc of history,” he said.