Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Returns to San Diego After 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet Deployment

Photo By Seaman Glory Anderson | 241220-N-BE753-1095 SAN DIEGO (Dec. 20, 2024) Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Kendall Meeks, from Sacramento, Calif., greets his family on the pier in front of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln, flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3, returns to Naval Air Station North Island following deployment to the U.S. 3rd Fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet and U.S. 5th Fleet areas of operation. An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic and relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations – from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Glory Anderson)  

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

12.20.2024

Courtesy Story

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)   

SAN DIEGO – The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), the flagship of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG), returned to San Diego Dec. 20, 2024, after completing a five-month deployment that included combat operations in the Middle East.

ABECSG, the most capable CSG comprised of the air wing of the future, the most advanced Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Frank E. Peterson Jr. (DDG 121), as Integrated Air and Missile Defense Commander, and three Arleigh Burke destroyers representing more than 6,000 Sailors, deployed from their homeports of San Diego and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, July 2024.

ABECSG initially deployed to the Indo-Pacific region to support regional security and stability and to reassure our allies and partners of the U.S. Navy’s unwavering commitment, highlighted by the first U.S.-Italy Indo-Pacific multi-large deck event (MLDE) with the Italian Navy’s ITS Cavour Carrier Strike Group.

ABECSG was later ordered to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to bolster U.S. military force posture in the Middle East, deter regional escalation, degrade Houthi capabilities, defend U.S. forces, and again sailed alongside our Italian allies and other partners to promote security, stability, and prosperity.

“Our incredibly successful deployment of firsts includes the first combat employment of the F-35C Lightning II platform, the first employment of the ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer, the first Nimitz-class aircraft carrier to re-fuel at sea with a commercial oiler, the first Multi-Large Deck Event with the Italian Navy’s Cavour CSG in the Indo-Pacific, the first west coast CSG to conduct combat strikes to degrade Iranian-backed Houthi rebel combat capabilities, and the first carrier to pull into Malaysia in over 12 years to strengthen critical regional partnerships,” said Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, Rear Adm. Adan Cruz. “All of this was made possible through the incredible hard work and dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Sailors and Marines, who are reuniting with their loved ones in time for the holidays.”

The ABECSG collaborated with the entire joint force including the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and U.S. Space Force to launch a pre-planned, dedicated strike into Iranian-backed, Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen to degrade offensive capabilities. The strikes, conducted by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 on Nov. 9-10, mark the first combat strikes of the F-35C Lightning II variant.

The E/A-18G Growlers, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, also deployed with the next generation jammer. This marks the first time the jammer has been used both deployed and in combat, marking a generational leap in electronic warfare capability.

"I could not be more proud of this team. Our Sailors and Marines performed superbly across every mission assigned." said Capt. Pete Riebe, commanding officer, Abraham Lincoln. "From the start of deployment, right up until the end, the Lincoln team never wavered in their commitment to excellence. Even while being targeted by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, Lincoln Nation expertly defended the ship and supported our Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group destroyers transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The men and women of Lincoln Nation should stand tall knowing they performed admirably in the face of uncertainty."

Deploying units of the strike group include the flagship Abraham Lincoln, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, and Frank E. Petersen Jr. While the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, assigned to DESRON 21, USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), also returned to their respective home ports in December, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG 77) and USS Stockdale (DDG 106) remain deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting global maritime security operations.

Stockdale, Spruance, Michael Murphy, and Frank E. Petersen Jr. collectively spent several months in the Red Sea supporting the safe passage of naval and commercial maritime shipping against repeated and unlawful attacks on international commercial shipping as well as U.S. coalition and merchant vessels in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden from Iranian-backed Houthis.

Notable key leader engagements and visits aboard Abraham Lincoln included members from the Chamber of Commerce of Guam; three mayors of the Commonwealth of the Marianas Islands; U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Steve Koehler; U.S. 5th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. George Wikoff; the U.S. ambassadors to Oman and Malaysia; and key government members of the Omani and Malaysian governments.

The deployed Sailors and Marines of the ABECSG conducted more than 9,000 sorties, including 21,000 flight hours, 28 replenishments-at-sea and more than 78,000 nautical miles traveled. Ships of the ABECSG conducted routine port visits to Egypt, Guam, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saipan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

CVW-9 consists of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Hawkeye, C-2A Greyhound, and MH-60R/S Sea Hawk. The squadrons are the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, the “Black Aces” of VFA 41, the “Vigilantes” of VFA 151, the “Black Knights” of VMFA 314, the “Wallbangers” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 117, the “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, the “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, the “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.

As an integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic and relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s timeless role across the full spectrum of military operations—from combat missions to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.

For more information about Carrier Strike Group 3 and USS Abraham Lincoln visit https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Carrier-Strike-Group-3/ and https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/USS-Abraham-Lincoln-CVN-72/

• Date Taken: 12.20.2024
• Date Posted: 12.20.2024 16:40
• Story ID: 488085
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US