Hegseth Praises US Sailors After Record Carrier Deployment

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has praised the sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln after the aircraft carrier completed one of the longest wartime deployments in US Navy history.

Hegseth visited the carrier on Wednesday as it prepared to return to its home port in San Diego.

The Lincoln spent 264 days at sea without making a port call while taking part in combat operations during the seven-month US-Iran war.

The long deployment has also raised concerns about the pressure on sailors. The Navy has reported eight suicide attempts among members of the carrier strike group during the mission.

• Hegseth praises USS Abraham Lincoln sailors after record deployment
• USS Abraham Lincoln completes 286-day mission amid Iran war
• Extended carrier deployment highlights pressure on US Navy sailors

Hegseth Highlights Crew’s Combat Record

Speaking to the crew, Hegseth pushed back against criticism of the carrier’s long deployment and morale. He instead focused on the group’s performance during the war and presented a citation from President Donald Trump recognizing its work.

Hegseth said the carrier strike group had sunk 64 Iranian warships, destroyed 21 anti-ship cruise missiles and carried out 3,693 combat sorties. It also launched 450 Tomahawk cruise missiles and dropped about 1.37 million pounds of bombs and other weapons on Iranian targets.

He said the carrier suffered no casualties and had no aircraft mishaps during the operations. Hegseth thanked the sailors for continuing their work despite the difficult conditions and long period away from their families.

The deployment has been much longer than a typical US Navy carrier deployment, which usually lasts between six and nine months. The extended time at sea has raised concerns about the physical and mental pressure on the crew.

The Navy has also faced questions about conditions aboard the carrier, including sailor morale and shortages. In August, President Trump dismissed concerns that the Lincoln had been at sea for too long, saying the carrier had not been deployed nearly long enough.

Carrier Heads Home as Iran War Continues

The Lincoln is returning as the US-Iran war remains a major issue for the Trump administration. The conflict has affected global energy markets and pushed up energy prices, adding to economic and political pressure on Washington ahead of the November midterm elections.

The war is also proving expensive for the United States. US military operations are costing about $3 billion a month, according to Reuters. Trump is considering whether to increase strikes against Iran while continuing a naval blockade aimed at putting more pressure on Tehran.

Vice President JD Vance told Reuters this week that Iran would need to significantly reduce its uranium enrichment activities for the United States to consider an agreement that could end the conflict.

For the sailors aboard the Lincoln, the focus is now on getting home. Hegseth acknowledged the strain caused by the extended deployment and said the crew deserved to return to their families.

The carrier has played a major role in US military operations against Iran. Hegseth said its sailors had helped support the US goal of preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

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After months at sea and sustained combat operations, the USS Abraham Lincoln is now heading back to San Diego. Its deployment has highlighted both the importance of US aircraft carriers in a major conflict and the pressure placed on the sailors who operate them.