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.