USS Abraham Lincoln Set to Return to Homeport on March 24

 

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) will arrive to its homeport of Everett, Wash., March 24 after a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility. Lincoln left Everett Sept. 7, 2010.

“The people of this community and Americans across this great nation can be extremely proud of Lincoln’s accomplishments,” said Capt. John D. Alexander, Lincoln’s commanding officer. “Six-and-a-half months ago we departed these shores to make the world a more secure and peaceful place for our families and children. We return proud of our accomplishments and humbled to be part of something bigger than ourselves.”

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Two successfully flew more than 8,300 sorties and completed more than 23,500 flying hours, of which more than 3,600 sorties and nearly 11,000 hours were flown in support of U.S. and coalition ground forces supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

In addition to supporting its primary missions throughout the deployment, Abraham Lincoln completed the following:

– Conducted exercises with coalition countries and other nations, including France, Bahrain, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
– Visited ports in Malaysia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Singapore.
– Conducted community service projects in Malaysia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Singapore, with more than 300 Sailors donating their off-duty time to help thousands of people achieve a better quality of life.
– Hosted U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, and more than 30 international ambassadors and dignitaries.
•Hosted two celebrity events including Grammy-nominated band Gloriana and Indianapolis Racing legends Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr., and other Indianapolis 500 drivers.
– Lincoln was recognized during the deployment as the best Pacific-based carrier for 2010, earning the prestigious Battle “E” award, as well as 13 individual departmental Battle “E” awards.
– Sailed more than 60,000 miles, completed 22 underway replenishments, spent 136 days at sea supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, and 198 days deployed overall. Since January 2010, Lincoln has spent 299 days away from home.

Abraham Lincoln CSG, led by Commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine Adm. Mark D. Guadagnini, is comprised of CVW-2, Destroyer Squadron Nine, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71), guided-missile destroyers USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS Momsen (DDG 92), USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Sterett (DDG 104).

The air wing squadrons of CVW-2 include the “Bounty Hunters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, the “Vigilantes” of VFA-151, the “Kestrels” of VFA-137, the “Blue Blasters” of VFA-34, the “Sun Kings” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116, the “Lancers” of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 131, the “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, the “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 and the “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77.

Abraham Lincoln CSG helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet’s 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy’s Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.

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Source: navy,March 23, 2011;