USS Abraham Lincoln returns to US after 322-day Iran war deployment

The USS Abraham Lincoln has returned to California after a grueling 322-day deployment in the Middle East, with its crew spending 265 consecutive days at sea while supporting US military operations against Iran alongside Israel.

The aircraft carrier’s return on October 9, 2026, brought relief to sailors and their families after months away from home, amid reports of difficult living conditions, food shortages and concerns about the mental health of personnel during the extended mission.

According to international media reports, returning sailors expressed happiness at reuniting with their loved ones and enjoying fresh food after spending months aboard the warship.

One sailor’s wife said her husband had told her about shortages of food on the carrier. She added that he was meeting their four-year-old daughter for the first time in around 10 months, highlighting the personal toll of the prolonged deployment.

The extended mission also drew attention after reports emerged that eight personnel aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln had attempted suicide during the Iran war. Reports of limited food supplies, inadequate shower facilities and challenging onboard conditions raised questions about the impact of lengthy deployments on sailors.

Several media reports suggested that the prolonged mission had placed pressure on the US Navy’s combat readiness and the psychological well-being of its personnel.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the crew for its service, while President Donald Trump dismissed reports about poor conditions aboard the carrier as fake news.

The carrier’s return comes as public concern over the Iran war continues to grow in the United States.

A Pew Research Center survey cited in the reports found that 65 per cent of Americans were dissatisfied with Trump’s handling of the conflict, while 33 per cent expressed satisfaction.

The war has also disrupted commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, raising fears of higher oil prices and increased inflation.

The USS Abraham Lincoln’s return marks the end of an exceptionally long deployment, while renewed attention to crew welfare underscores the human cost of sustained military operations.