Lead ship of Ford-class aircraft carriers, named for the 38th U.S. president.
The USS George Washington has left Da Nang and is relocating toward the Indian Ocean as the Lincoln remains in the Middle East, underscoring a sustained, high-pressure naval posture amid Iran-related operations and logistic strains aboard deployed carriers.
Trump has directed the Navy to plan the removal of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and related elevators on Ford-class carriers, replacing them with steam and hydraulic systems. The Doris Miller (CVN-81) would be the first to include the changes, with other Ford-class carriers remaining unchanged. The move aims to cut costs but faces potential delays and industrial-base challenges.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has made a brief port call at Laem Chabang, Thailand, allowing about 5,000 sailors and Marines to rest after a record, months-long deployment supporting US operations against Iran. Thai authorities are managing transport, security and restrictions in Pattaya while US officials deny widespread failures in shipboard conditions.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has returned to San Diego after a record 265 days at sea in support of operations related to the Iran conflict, bringing home roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines. Families welcomed loved ones with emotional reunions; many report stress and food shortages aboard the carrier during the deployment. The Navy has awarded the Presidential Unit Citation amid acknowledgment of fatigue and challenges faced by the crew.