US Carrier Group Credited With Sinking 64 Iranian Ships Returns After Record 265 Days At Sea

USS Abraham Lincoln, the 5th Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, returned home after a record 265-day Middle East Deployment without a port call.

The War Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the ship on October 8, 2026, a day before it pulled into its San Diego homeport. While on the ship, Hegseth spoke to the sailors and appreciated their sacrifices, bravery, and determination.

He congratulated them on a successful deployment, which helped the U.S. secure its position against Iran in the ongoing war. The carrier group launched over 450 Tomahawk cruise missiles during the mission and sank 64 Iranian naval ships, Hegseth said.

He also recounted other achievements such as conducting 3693 sorties, shooting down 77 drones, destroying 21 anti-ship cruise missiles, delivering 1.37 million pounds of ordnance, and defending against 4 fast-attack craft and explosive-laden wooden ships.

Hegseth spoke of Carrier Air Wing Nine, which is assigned to Lincoln and played an important role in the deployment, especially Operation Epic Fury, which began in February and lasted till August.

The carrier strike group enabled the U.S. Navy to launch its combat mission against Iran, along with sustaining the blockade of Iranian Ports.

This deployment has surpassed the earlier record set by the carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower of 206 days spent at sea without a port call in 2020.

In recognition of their service, Hegseth gave the 5000 crew members of USS Abraham Lincoln a Presidential Unit Citation, which is the highest military decoration given to units for acts of tremendous heroism in combat against an enemy, as per an official release.

Carrier Strike Groups maintain sea control and project naval airpower onshore using different elements. Apart from Lincoln, Group 3 has other vessels including Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS O’Kane, USS Frank E.Petersen Jr., and USS Spruance, which are also part of Destroyer Squadron 21.

The group has undertaken many crucial operations in the past, especially 5 deployments to the U.S. 5th Fleet to support ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq between 2005 and 2013.