The USS Abraham Lincoln is returning home with a combat record that reflects the highest standards Americans expect.
After 321 days deployed and approximately 265 consecutive days at sea between port calls, the carrier strike group has been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation — the nation’s highest unit award for extraordinary heroism in combat. The honor was announced as the ship neared San Diego.
U.S. Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the USS Abraham Lincoln near San Diego on Wednesday to recognize the crew before the ship’s return Thursday. During his visit, Hegseth thanked the sailors and confirmed that Carrier Strike Group 3 had earned the citation for “extraordinary heroism against enemy forces.”
The deployment extended far beyond typical operational calendars, with sailors remaining at sea through prolonged combat operations, continuous alert cycles, and an extended period without port visits.
During this mission, the Lincoln’s air wing executed 3,693 combat missions and delivered approximately 1.37 million pounds of ordnance while firing about 450 Tomahawk missiles during the conflict with Iran. The group also shot down 77 attack drones and destroyed 21 anti-ship cruise missiles, sinking 64 Iranian warships and repelling four fast-attack craft.
The deployment came at a significant human cost, including supply challenges and eight documented suicide attempts aboard the carrier during the extended period at sea.
Secretary Hegseth emphasized that honoring the crew means recognizing their combat performance while ensuring sailors and families receive the support and care they deserve.
Stars and Stripes reported that the award honors the entire strike group for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy. This distinction belongs to thousands of sailors across the carrier, its air wing, and supporting ships. It also belongs to the families who endured missed birthdays, holidays, and ordinary evenings at home.
For many aboard the ship, San Diego represents a moment of profound personal significance — whether it is a spouse waiting on the pier, a child who grew while they were deployed, or a parent relieved after nearly a year without their loved one.
The deployment demonstrated why a carrier strike group remains one of America’s most effective instruments of power. Every launch, every maneuver, and every mile sailed required extraordinary dedication from sailors working through heat, noise, exhaustion, and danger.