Sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln, after a record-setting nine-month deployment, recounted experiences of hunger, loneliness, and exhaustion. The Wall Street Journal reported that the most challenging aspect for the crew of the Lincoln and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. was the uncertainty surrounding the end of their mission. While some sailors, like Shepardson, felt they always had enough food despite rationing, others, including Petersen sailor Michael Gonzales, reported feeling hungry at times, with kitchen crew members confirming rationing due to extended deployment and resupply difficulties.
The prolonged deployment, marked by 12-hour shifts and limited contact with the outside world, led to significant mental health concerns. To combat loneliness and frustration, the crew, numbering over 5,000, organized morale-boosting activities such as spelling bees and lip-syncing competitions. Many sailors expressed pride in completing the challenging deployment, noting that the experience deepened camaraderie among the crew.
The Lincoln's deployment lasted 286 days before reaching Thailand, with approximately 200 days spent in an active war zone. Despite the USS Gerald R. Ford holding the record for the longest deployment at 11 months, the Lincoln's lack of port visits resulted in a longer continuous period at sea for its sailors. Rear Adm. Patrick Cao acknowledged mental health issues, supply rationing, and limited calls home, explaining that meal plans were adjusted when fresh supplies were unavailable, though no meals were entirely missed. For security reasons, Wi-Fi was mostly unavailable, making communication with family difficult, although the Petersen had secure internet for emails.
