Overview
- The carrier is due back in San Diego on Thursday after roughly 320 days away from port, a deployment that included more than seven months at sea without a planned port call.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will personally greet the crew, speak with sailors, take part in physical training and share a meal on board when the ship returns.
- Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao told Congress that the strike group experienced piping failures and temporary breakdowns of reverse osmosis desalination units that affected water and other basic services.
- Navy officials confirmed eight suicide attempts across the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and media reported attempted overboard incidents, prompting family members and lawmakers to press for answers.
- Sen. Ruben Gallego and other Democrats have requested independent reviews by the Department of Defense inspector general and the Government Accountability Office to examine shortages, sustained crew fatigue and access to mental-health care, a probe that could shape Navy sustainment and oversight reforms.