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USS Lincoln sailors speak out after 9-month deployment
In exclusive interviews with NBC News' Courtney Kube, sailors described the physical and emotional toll of spending months away from their families while supporting military operations in the Middle East.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, carrying roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines, spent 286 days on deployment, including more than 260 consecutive days at sea before reaching Thailand earlier this month.
Months Without a Real Break
For many of the sailors, the hardest part of the deployment was the uncertainty surrounding when they would finally return home.
The Lincoln left San Diego in November 2025 and was initially operating in the Indo-Pacific before being redirected toward the Middle East as the conflict involving Iran intensified. The extended mission meant sailors spent months carrying out demanding operations with very few opportunities to step ashore.
The deployment ultimately became far longer than many crew members had anticipated.
Reports from sailors and their families described growing fatigue, limited communication with loved ones and concerns about mental health as the mission continued.
The Toll of Life at Sea
The challenges went beyond simply being away from home.
Reports during the deployment raised concerns about shortages of fresh food and hygiene supplies, deteriorating conditions aboard the ship and the strain created by the relentless operational tempo. Some sailors also described loneliness and exhaustion after months without a traditional port visit.
The Navy has pushed back on some reports about conditions aboard the carrier, saying the difficulties reflected the demands of an unusually long wartime deployment.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao acknowledged that the crew faced significant challenges while emphasizing the extraordinary circumstances of the mission.
Finally Stepping Onto Dry Land
The sailors' arrival in Thailand on September 2 marked an emotional turning point.
The USS Abraham Lincoln docked at Laem Chabang, near the resort city of Pattaya, giving thousands of sailors and Marines their first major opportunity to leave the ship after months at sea. For many, the simple experience of walking on solid ground, eating fresh food and reconnecting with everyday life felt almost surreal.
Families waiting back home also expressed enormous relief.
One mother told CBS News she was grateful simply knowing her son had finally made it safely to land after the unprecedented stretch at sea.
A Much-Needed Chance to Recharge
The Navy described the Thailand stop as an opportunity for sailors and Marines to “rest and recharge” before continuing their journey home.
The crew spent several days in Pattaya, where sailors visited restaurants, shopping centers and local businesses. Some chose quiet activities and time with fellow crew members, while others simply enjoyed being somewhere that wasn't the inside of an aircraft carrier.
The visit also offered sailors a chance to decompress after months of combat operations and uncertainty.
Heading Home
After the brief stop in Thailand, the USS Abraham Lincoln and its crew began the final leg of their journey back to California.
NBC News reported that the sailors were expected to return home after nearly 10 months aboard the carrier, following a deployment that stretched far beyond what many had expected when they left the United States.
For the sailors interviewed by NBC News, the deployment was more than a record in the Navy's history. It was months spent away from children, spouses, parents and friends — while continuing to carry out their responsibilities under extraordinary circumstances.
Now, after hundreds of days at sea, the focus is finally shifting from the mission to coming home.
Source: NBC News
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