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USS Abraham Lincoln is homeward bound

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The USS Abraham Lincoln is heading home after a lengthy Middle East deployment supporting U.S. military operations in the war with Iran, including a record-setting stretch of more than 250 consecutive days at sea.

The aircraft carrier sailed past Singapore early Sunday and is expected to make a port visit in Thailand before continuing its journey back to its U.S. base.

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Associated Press journalists on the Indonesian island of Batam spotted the Lincoln shortly after 1 a.m. local time as the massive warship traveled through waters near Singapore.

The Lincoln, one of the Navy’s largest warships, has played a significant role in U.S. operations during the conflict with Iran. Its extended deployment has also drawn attention because of the toll on its crew.

The carrier spent more than 250 days continuously at sea, a record-setting period without a port visit. Reports during the deployment raised concerns about deteriorating mental health among some crew members as well as shortages of food, hygiene products and other supplies.

The carrier’s movements have been closely watched as the United States maintained a major naval presence in and around the Middle East during the six-month conflict with Iran.

Thai officials have said the Lincoln will visit Thailand to give sailors an opportunity for rest and recovery before the ship continues its voyage home.

The Lincoln’s departure from the region comes as fighting between the United States and Iran has intensified again. U.S. forces carried out strikes against Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the first announced American strikes against Iran in weeks. Iran said it retaliated by targeting U.S. military bases in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

Despite that renewed fighting, the Lincoln has continued eastward toward Southeast Asia and its eventual return to the United States.

The port call in Thailand will offer the carrier’s crew a long-awaited break on land following one of the most demanding deployments in recent U.S. naval history.

Source: Reuters

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