‘Legendary performance’: Scenes from USS Abraham Lincoln’s homecoming

“Every single sailor and Marine that left on this deployment is going home,” said Capt. Daniel Keeler, the ship’s commander. USS Abraham Lincoln returns to San Diego on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, after a nearly 11-month deployment operating in the Pacific and Middle East. Printed on the ship’s island, next to the carrier’s hull number, 72, are combat tally marks for Operation Epic Fury. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes) SAN DIEGO — Aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at Naval Air Station North Island on Thursday after a long and difficult deployment. Sailors walked off the ship, nearly 11 months after they left, into the embrace of family and friends. Capt. Daniel Keeler, commander of Lincoln, said there was no loss of lives or aircraft and no combat damage.

“Every single sailor and Marine that left on this deployment is going home,” Keeler said. “That’s legendary, legendary performance by this team.” Carla Smith, the mother of a Lincoln sailor, said her son had arrived two weeks ago as a part of the ship’s security. She was waiting with another mother to welcome the Lincoln home. USS Abraham Lincoln returns to San Diego on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, after a nearly 11-month deployment operating in the Pacific and Middle East. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes) A USS Abraham Lincoln sailor embraces family members