​​USS Lincoln finally docks in San Diego after 10-month mission

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the USS Abraham Lincoln before it returned to San Diego on October 8 after a record-breaking deployment of 265 days at sea in support of operations against Iran, drawing national attention due to reports of crew stress and supply shortages. During his visit, Hegseth bestowed upon the ship's crew the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest honor typically reserved for combat achievements, acknowledging their resilience despite enduring difficult conditions. The Lincoln played a significant role in Operation Epic Fury, conducting over 3,600 combat sorties and firing more than 1.37 million pounds of ordnance against Iranian targets. However, concerns were raised about the crew's mental health and supply issues during the extended deployment, with some critics questioning the necessity of such a long mission.