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History of USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, commissioned on November 11, 1989. The ship has played a key role in several major operations, including Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and Operation Enduring Freedom following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Throughout its service, Abraham Lincoln has been deployed to the Persian Gulf, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, providing air support, deterrence, and humanitarian assistance. The carrier has also undergone significant modernization, including a mid-life refueling and complex overhaul completed in 2019, ensuring its continued effectiveness in 21st-century naval operations.

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ABOUT USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN

  • Namesake: The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is named after the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, symbolizing leadership and unity.
  • Nimitz-Class Carrier: It is the fifth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy, commissioned on November 11, 1989.
  • Length and Size: The ship is over 1,092 feet long, displaces over 100,000 tons when fully loaded, and can carry a crew of more than 5,000 personnel.
  • Operation Desert Storm: In 1991, while en route to the Pacific Ocean, the USS Abraham Lincoln was diverted to the Persian Gulf to support Operation Desert Storm and later Operation Southern Watch.
  • Historic Landing: President George W. Bush landed on the carrier in May 2003, delivering his "Mission Accomplished" speech, marking a significant moment in the Iraq War.
  • First Response to 9/11: Shortly after the September 11 attacks, the carrier was deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
  • Tsunami Relief: In 2004, USS Abraham Lincoln led humanitarian operations in Indonesia and Sri Lanka following the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, providing medical aid and supplies.
  • Refueling and Complex Overhaul: From 2013 to 2017, the carrier underwent a major mid-life Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, extending its service life by another 25 years.
  • First Female Carrier CO: In 2022, Captain Amy Bauernschmidt became the first woman to command a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier when she took command of the USS Abraham Lincoln.
  • Carrier Air Wing 9: The ship has hosted Carrier Air Wing 9 for multiple deployments, making it a critical piece in U.S. naval aviation and power projection.

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