Hegseth hails USS Lincoln crew as carrier returns from record 260-day deployment

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed USS Abraham Lincoln sailors on Wednesday as the carrier returns to San Diego after a record deployment supporting US operations against Iran.

• Hegseth told the crew the deployment "wasn't easy" and said he signed the orders extending it twice, adding, "I plead guilty."
• Hegseth announced the crew would receive the presidential unit citation for extraordinary heroism in action.
• Hegseth said US forces sank 159 Iranian navy ships and that Washington will maintain its blockade to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
• The carrier spent over 260 consecutive days at sea without a port call, a navy record, after being redirected to the Middle East in February.
• Hegseth conveyed President Trump's appreciation for the crew's achievements during the deployment.
• Hegseth dismissed media reports of eight suicide attempts among the strike group's personnel as unfair.
• Hegseth said the group flew 3,693 combat sorties and sank 64 Iranian warships.