270 Days at Sea Strains Lincoln as Iran Attacks Rewrite Navy Logistics

After more than 270 days at sea—the longest carrier deployment since the Vietnam era—the USS Abraham Lincoln faced worsening conditions as Iranian attacks devastated Bahrain’s Fifth Fleet base, forcing the ship to rely on supplies from Diego Garcia about 2,200 miles away and depriving it of a nearby liberty port. Crew reports of skimpy meals, moldy showers and broken toilets accompanied a deployment described by officials as among the most intense in recent times, with the Lincoln heading home after a planned rotation while authorities weigh broader Middle East commitments.