What happened
The USS Abraham Lincoln has returned to San Diego after a record 265-day deployment, with many sailors reuniting with their families. The deployment was marked by reports of supply shortages, deteriorating mental health, and even suicide attempts among the crew.
As the sailors disembarked, they were greeted by their loved ones, including 64 fathers meeting their babies for the first time. Families had been waiting anxiously for the aircraft carrier's arrival, with many describing the emotional toll of hearing about the tough conditions on board.
The US Navy has pushed back against reports of low morale and dysfunction on the ship, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarding the crew the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest honor a unit can receive. Hegseth praised the sailors' resilience and ability to adapt and overcome challenges.
The sailors' homecoming was marked by emotional reunions, with many describing the joy of being reunited with their families. One sailor, Brent Ledbetter, said he was excited to meet his baby son Nathan for the first time and to 'chase him around the house and give him all the love' he had been unable to provide during his deployment.
