By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/uss-lincoln-aircraft-carrier-returns-home-after-record-deployment-supporting-iran-war Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Hegseth welcomes return of USS Lincoln after long, troubled deployment World Updated on Oct 7, 2026 2:35 PM EDT — Published on Oct 7, 2026 1:04 PM EDT The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier returns home to California Thursday, the Navy announced Friday, following a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea supporting the Iran war and intense scrutiny over ship conditions. Watch the event in the video player above. Reports emerged of crew stress and poor mental health, as well as shortages of food and hygiene products. Democratic California Rep. Sara Jacobs said she recently visited the ship and spoke to sailors and Marines who shared stories of "their struggles to wash clothes, get medicine and health care, and eat enough food." WATCH: Trump dismisses concerns over conditions on long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. President Donald Trump had downplayed reports about conditions on the Lincoln, which left its homeport in November, arrived in the Middle East in January, and spent a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 260 days. WATCH: Trump says USS Lincoln's deployment was 'not nearly long enough' In August, Trump said the sailors endured a "good period of time" but added that "over the years, we've had them out there much longer." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier returns home to California Thursday, the Navy announced Friday, following a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea supporting the Iran war and intense scrutiny over ship conditions. Watch the event in the video player above. Reports emerged of crew stress and poor mental health, as well as shortages of food and hygiene products. Democratic California Rep. Sara Jacobs said she recently visited the ship and spoke to sailors and Marines who shared stories of "their struggles to wash clothes, get medicine and health care, and eat enough food." WATCH: Trump dismisses concerns over conditions on long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. President Donald Trump had downplayed reports about conditions on the Lincoln, which left its homeport in November, arrived in the Middle East in January, and spent a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 260 days. WATCH: Trump says USS Lincoln's deployment was 'not nearly long enough' In August, Trump said the sailors endured a "good period of time" but added that "over the years, we've had them out there much longer." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now