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USS Abraham Lincoln sailors meet their babies for first time after lengthy deployment

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For dozens of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, returning to San Diego on Oct. 8 meant more than coming home: It meant holding their children for the first time.

The aircraft carrier docked at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado after more than 10 months away. Families gathered with flowers, balloons and welcoming signs as sailors came ashore.

Sixty-four fathers in the carrier’s crew were meeting babies born during the deployment, according to the Navy. Including personnel in the accompanying air wing, the number of new fathers reached 122.

“Ten and a half months is a significant amount of time away from home,” Lt. Cmdr. Tyler Barker, the carrier’s public affairs officer, said, according to Military Times.

One of those awaiting a first meeting was Brent Ledbetter, an air traffic control center officer whose son, Nathan, was born about a week after he reported aboard. By the homecoming, Nathan was 10 months old and crawling.

“I just want to hold him, play with him,” Ledbetter told NBC News before the arrival. His wife, also an air traffic control officer, had served aboard the Lincoln before he replaced her shortly before the birth.

Kathy Monterrosa waited with her 6-month-old daughter, Sarahi, dressed in a small sailor outfit. She told The Associated Press that the separation had brought major changes for the couple: They were returning to life together as parents.

Sailor Steven Rivas held his 7-month-old daughter after disembarking, becoming emotional as he described approaching the bay and knowing his family was waiting.

The reunion followed a deployment supporting the war with Iran that included 265 uninterrupted days at sea, according to AP. Reports of supply shortages and mental health concerns had heightened families’ worries. Capt. Daniel Keeler, the ship’s commander, said crew members had access to four meals daily and described the challenges as normal for a lengthy deployment.

For the new fathers, the return also ended months of experiencing parenthood from a distance—and began their first days at home with their children.

Sources: Associated Press; NBC 7 San Diego; Military Times.

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