SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The USS Abraham Lincoln is heading home to San Diego after a record-breaking deployment in the Middle East that so far, has stretched to 272 consecutive days at sea, the longest in Navy history.
The carrier was initially scheduled for a roughly six-month deployment, but was rerouted to the Middle East earlier this year after the war with Iran began. In recent weeks, some families reported substandard conditions on the ship and sailors struggling mentally.
Todd Sickinger, a San Diego father whose son Devynn is aboard the Lincoln, learned about the homecoming when he saw the news and immediately shared it with his son.
"I sent that to my son, and within the hour he got back to me and said the captain just announced that," Sickinger said.
Devynn has not experienced any of the issues reported by other families during the deployment.
Sickinger said the crew deserves recognition for their service.
"I think they should come home to a hero's welcome, and they should be forever remembered as doing a great job," Sickinger said.
It remains unclear exactly when the Lincoln will arrive back in San Diego or whether the ship will make any port stops on the way home. The journey takes just over a month.
Sickinger hopes the crew will have the chance to make stops along the way to rest and recharge, but he is eager to reunite with his son.
"At some point, uh, we'll sit down together in some leather chairs and we'll have, you know, a cold drink of his choice, and he'll tell me all he can about his adventures," Sickinger said.
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