The long-deployed USS Lincoln returns home to San Diego Bay

The USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego Bay on Thursday, ending a record 265 uninterrupted days at sea during operations connected to Iran, after reports of worsening conditions among crew members. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth flew in Wednesday to present the carrier with the Presidential Unit Citation, the service’s highest unit honor, and also pushed back against claims that the deployment reflected dysfunction or low morale. The ship’s return drew attention after family accounts described stress, mental health concerns and supply shortages, including food and hygiene products. U.S. and Israeli forces struck Iran on Feb. 28. The Navy said the carrier left San Diego in November and reached the Middle East in January.