Pete Hegseth is all praises for the returning USS Abraham Lincoln revealing why he personally extended their deployment: ‘I plead guilty’
“You have changed the arc of history…”
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group returned to its homeport of San Diego on Thursday, October 8, 2026. According to ABC News, this arrival marks the end of a record-breaking 10-month deployment to the Middle East. The ship spent a total of 321 days away from home. This stands as the second-longest deployment since the end of the Cold War. The carrier USS Gerald R. Ford holds the record at 326 days.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the crew on Wednesday before their return. He spoke to sailors on the flight deck about the decision to extend their time at sea. Typical deployments usually last about seven months.
Hegseth addressed the extension directly during his visit. “I plead guilty, A., because of the incredible effectiveness that you showcased on the battlefield and the necessity. But also B., the mission required it, and C., because President Trump had full faith that you would deliver on behalf of the American people, and you did,” he said.
The carrier group played a major role in the war with Iran
It set a new record of 265 days between ports of call. The crew faced significant supply disruptions early in the war. These issues impacted food stocks and created a difficult living environment. Reports also surfaced regarding the mental health of the crew during the long mission.
The Navy confirmed there were eight suicide attempts during the deployment. One sailor jumped overboard but was later rescued. A U.S. official noted that this figure appears to be on the lower end of what is expected for such long deployments.
Hegseth pushed back against negative media coverage regarding the ship. “There were a few folks in the media who tried to turn the USS Abraham Lincoln into some sort of a symbol,” he noted.
“A symbol of dysfunction, or a symbol of low morale, or a symbol of a failed mission. And what I look out right here or when I talk to your leadership, and I haven’t had a chance to talk to a number of you, I know it’s the exact opposite.” He further argued that the media often focuses on challenges rather than the success of the mission.
The operational achievements of the strike group are massive
Hegseth highlighted 10,000 sorties and 23,000 combat flight hours. The crew dropped 1.5 million pounds of ordnance on the enemy. During his remarks, he read the Presidential Unit Citation to the crew. This revealed new statistics about operations against Iranian targets.
The group launched 450 Tomahawk cruise missiles. They shot down 77 Iranian one-way attack drones and 21 anti-ship cruise missiles. They also helped sink 64 Iranian warships and defended against four fast-attack craft.
Hegseth praised the crew for their role in U.S. strategy. “I draw inspiration from the mission that you executed so successfully,” he told the sailors. “You have changed the arc of history… ensuring that crazy people, theocrats, never get a nuclear weapon, changes the arc of history,” he added, according to The Hill. He told the crew to thank their families for their patience and patriotism. He stated the long wait was in service of a righteous and historic mission.
Not everyone agrees with the handling of this deployment. Rep. Mike Levin noted that sailors and their families raised alarms about conditions and mental health. He argued the administration owes answers to military families. Levin stated that families felt ignored when they turned to the press for help.
The Navy is using lessons from this deployment to improve future missions
Adm. Daryl Caudle, the Chief of Naval Operations, discussed these updates in a recent video. The USS Theodore Roosevelt is already implementing new protocols. The ship is maximizing its load-out of food and retail products before getting underway. Crews are converting empty spaces into storage areas to remain self-sufficient.
New entertainment equipment and durable fitness machines are being added. Systems are receiving software updates to keep critical services running during limited bandwidth. Climate control systems are also seeing upgrades to keep the environment stable.
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman emphasized the focus on the crew. “As one carrier returns home, we listen to its sailors and families. We capture what worked and what didn’t, and we make it better the next time,” he said. For the sailors on the Lincoln, the return means finally seeing their families again.
Air traffic control officer Brent Ledbetter shared his excitement about seeing his young son. He expressed his desire to hold his child and make up for the time lost. The homecoming represents the end of a very long and demanding chapter for those on the vessel.
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