The USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego on Thursday after a record 321-day deployment. This is one of the longest carrier deployments in recent US history.

The crew spent 265 days without a port call. They also spent about 200 days in a combat zone. The Navy said the mission covered multiple regions.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth presented the crew with the Presidential Unit Citation. The award honours outstanding performance in action.

Navy officials said about 300 babies were born to families of the crew during the deployment. Families waited at the Naval Air Station North Island to welcome the sailors home.

The carrier’s air wing flew thousands of missions during the deployment. The ship conducted exercises with partner navies.

The Lincoln’s return marks the end of an extended mission that tested the endurance of the crew. The Navy praised the sailors for their serviceThe ship will now undergo maintenance in San Diego. The crew will get time with their families before the next mission.