What happened
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its strike group have been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the US military's highest unit-level distinction, by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The award comes after the carrier's extended deployment, which began on November 21, 2025, and involved combat operations against Iran.
The Lincoln's deployment was marked by significant achievements, including 23,000 combat flight hours and the expenditure of approximately 1.4 million pounds of weaponry against Iranian targets. The strike group also successfully fended off attacks from anti-ship cruise missiles, drones, and explosive-laden surface vessels.
The carrier's crew spent 265 consecutive days at sea without stopping in a port, with Hegseth acknowledging that he signed orders twice to extend the deployment. The Lincoln is set to return to its homeport in San Diego, concluding its deployment.
The award ceremony took place aboard the carrier, where Hegseth praised the crew for their service and sacrifices. The Lincoln's deployment was part of a wider US military campaign against Iran, which included enforcing a maritime blockade of Iran's ports.
