Hegseth praises sailors' resilience after record-breaking carrier deployment

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the USS Abraham Lincoln on Wednesday, praising the crew's resilience after a record-breaking 260-day deployment without a port call. Hegseth defended the sailors against media criticism, presented a citation from President Donald Trump, and highlighted the carrier's combat achievements during the Iran war, including sinking 64 Iranian warships and launching 450 Tomahawk missiles.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln on Wednesday, praising the crew's resilience after a record-breaking deployment of more than 260 continuous days without a port call. The carrier, part of a strike group that had eight suicide attempts among sailors during its time at sea, is due to dock in San Diego on Thursday. Hegseth defended the sailors against media criticism, accusing reporters of trying to turn the crew into symbols of dysfunction rather than heroes. He presented a citation from President Donald Trump for their achievements during the Iran war, which included sinking 64 Iranian warships, destroying 21 anti-ship cruise missiles, executing 3,693 combat sorties, launching 450 Tomahawk missiles, and firing 1.37 million pounds of ordnance, with no casualties or aircraft mishaps. Hegseth acknowledged challenges on board, including difficult resupply, and joked that he was "the only thing standing between you and home" as the one who signed the deployment extension orders. The carrier's return comes at a crossroads in the US-Iran war, which has become a political liability for Trump and Republicans ahead of November midterm elections due to its $3 billion monthly cost and higher energy prices. Vice President JD Vance stated that Iran must make a "meaningful" reduction in uranium enrichment to end the seven-month conflict.