USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) approaches the coast of California with F/A-18 Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron Two Five (VFA-25) in formation overhead, February 7, 2001. Abraham Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing One Four (CVW-14) were returning home after concluding a scheduled six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Gabriel Wilson (# 010207-N-0147W-001).

April 1, 2002 — USS Abraham Lincoln prepares for flight operations in the Gulf of Alaska as part of the joint training exercise, Northern Edge 2002. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Kittie VandenBosch. [020421-N-8794V-001].

The Pacific Ocean, Jul. 24, 2002 — An F/A-18E "Super Hornet" from the “Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron One One Five (VFA-115) piloted by Lt. Corey L. Pritchard, makes the first carrier arrested landing of the “Super Hornet” signifying the start of its maiden combat deployment. VFA-115 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing One Four (CVW-14), aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). The Carrier Battle Group deployed on July 20, 2002, and was to conduct missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Kittie VandenBosch. [020724-N-8794V-001].

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) entering Pearl Harbor, 26 April 2003, on her way home from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Photos by SK1(SW) Joseph A. Gless, USN, Mobile Diving Salvage Unit One.

The Pacific Ocean, May 1, 2003 — "Navy 1," an S-3B Viking from the "Blue Wolves" of Sea Control Squadron Three Five (VS-35) successfully traps aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). The aircraft was carrying President George W. Bush, the first President to trap aboard an aircraft carrier at sea. Later, Mr. Bush addressed the nation from the ship's flight deck: "Major combat operations in Iraq are over, and America and her allies have prevailed."

The Pacific Ocean, May 1, 2003 — President George W. Bush passes through the side boys after landing aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in "NAVY 1", an S-3B Viking from the "Blue Wolves" of Sea Control Squadron Three Five (VS-35).

The custom of having side boys originated centuries ago in the Royal Navy when officers were hoisted aboard in a sort of basket, and since senior officers usually weighed more than juniors, more boys were needed on the line. When the side is piped by the boatswain’s mate of the watch, from two to eight side boys, depending on the rank of the officer, will form a passageway at the gangway.

San Diego, Calif., May 2, 2003 — Flying her "Homeward Bound" pennant and displaying a banner reading "Mission Accomplished," USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) steams into San Diego Harbor for a stop prior to returning to her homeport of Everett, Wash., following a nearly 10-month deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Abraham Lincoln would disembark Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) personnel in San Diego and was scheduled to reach homeport on May 6, marking 286 days away.

The homeward bound pennant is a Navy tradition, dating back to the days of sail. It is flown on the last leg of her homebound voyage by a ship that has been overseas for nine months or more, prior to arrival at the first U.S. port. The length is one foot for each person, officer or crew, who has been aboard for 9 months or more, providing the length does not exceed the ship's length. On arrival in homeport, the pennant is cut up. The blue is presented to the captain, and the remainder is divided among the men. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Photographer’s Mate Mahlon K. Miller. [030502-N-0226M-003].

San Diego, Calif., May 2, 2003 — USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) pulls into San Diego Harbor towards a berth at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island to disembark Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) before continuing to her homeport of Everett, Wash. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Force flew more than 1,600 sorties and expended 1.6 million pounds of ordnance, including 116 Tomahawks during her nearly 10-month deployment supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class (Ret) Chuck Cavanaugh. [030502-N-1144C-002].

San Diego, Calif., May 2, 2003 — USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) makes her way to Naval Air Station North Island for a one day port visit to San Diego to disembark the ship’s Air Wing. USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) can be seen in the background. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Andrew J. Betting. [030502-N-8590B-001].

Naval Station Everett, Wash., May 6, 2003 — The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) approaches pier Alpha aboard Naval Station Everett after returning from nearly a 10-month deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Scott Taylor. [030506-N-9500T-055].

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) arrives in Naval Station Everett, Wash., May 6, 2003 after a nearly 10-month deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

July 16, 2003 — One of USS Abraham Lincoln's (CVN-72) four screws is prepared for removal during a Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Barbara A. Snider (# 030716-N-9605S-001).

August 12, 2003 — Puget Sound Naval Ship Yard workers prepare the port side rudder of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) for removal. The carrier was undergoing a Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Derrick Eisenbeis (# 030812-N-6619E-001).

Pacific Ocean, June 15, 2004 — A camera crew sets up for scenes to be taped on the flight deck for the upcoming motion picture "Stealth," with the crew of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). After ten months of dry docked Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) maintenance, Abraham Lincoln was conducting local operations in the Pacific Ocean in preparation for an upcoming deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Tyler J. Clements (# 040615-N-6817C-030).

December 21, 2004 — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), with Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2), underway in the waters of Western Pacific Ocean. Abraham Lincoln's Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9) was the first to be used in the Surge Role in support of the Chief of Naval Operations Fleet Response Plan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Patrick M. Bonafede (041221-N-1229B-066).

Indian Ocean, January 1, 2005 — Seahawk helicopters assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Two (HS-2) "Golden Falcons" and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Squadron Forty-Seven (HSL-47) "Saberhawks," depart USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) en route to Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia. The helicopters were transporting supplies, bringing in disaster relief teams and supporting humanitarian airlifts to Tsunami-stricken coastal regions. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group was operating in the Indian Ocean off the waters of Indonesia and Thailand. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Tyler J. Clements (# 050101-N-6817C-084).

Mercy (T-AH-19) navigates alongside Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) after arriving on station near Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, 3 February 2005. Mercy was forward deployed to assist in humanitarian aid efforts in the wake of the Tsunami that struck South East Asia (26 December 2004) and would serve as an enabling platform to assist humanitarian operations ashore in ways that host nations and international relief organizations found useful. U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Gabriel R. Piper (# 050203-N-6020P-181).

(NS027265): USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) passing south of Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, on November 11, 2005.

(NS027265a): Shortly afterwards, nearing the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, with Angel Island in the left middle distance, and Red Rock and Richmond-San Rafael Bridge in the background.

Pacific Ocean, January 12, 2006 — The port side Mark II Stockless Anchor is raised aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) after conducting a precision sea and anchor detail off the coast of San Diego. The Nimitz-class carrier was off the coast of Southern California for a Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) inspection and the final Fleet Response Plan (FRP) readiness training. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jordon R. Beesley (# 060112-N-4166B-024).

Pacific Ocean, March 23, 2006 — USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and guided missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG-63), foreground, sail in formation with Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) (foreground to background) guided missile destroyer JDS Hatakaze (DDG-171), destroyer JDS Harusame (DD-102), and guided missile destroyer JDS Kirishima (DDG-174). The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier spent three days conducting exercises with JMDSF and took part in an officer exchange program as part of a passing exercise (PASSEX). Abraham Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) were on a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class M. Jeremie Yoder (# 060323-N-6074Y-063).

Laem Chebang, Thailand, April 20, 2006 — USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) pulls into Laem Chebang, Thailand for a brief port visit. The Nimitz-class carrier made U.S. Naval history, being the first U.S. aircraft carrier to moor pier side in Thailand. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class James R. McGury (# 060420-N-6074Y-155).

Philippine Sea, June 18, 2006 — USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), followed by the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Shoup (DDG-86) and USS Russell (DDG-59), transits the Philippine Sea to begin Valiant Shield 2006, an exercise that focuses on integrated joint training among U.S. military forces, enabling real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces and in detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Spike Call (# 060618-N-5961C-003).

(See also Valiant Shield 2006.)

Philippine Sea, June 18, 2006 — (Left to right) The Abraham Lincoln, Kitty Hawk and Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Groups sail in formation, while Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft (led by an Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber) fly overhead during the photo portion of Valiant Shield 2006. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jarod Hodge (# 060618-N-8591H-383).

(See also Valiant Shield 2006.)

US Navy Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) man the rails as their ship, escorted by tugboats, pulls into port for a scheduled visit at Naval Station (NS) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (HI), June 30, 2006. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006, an exercise designed to increase the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined sea operations. RIMPAC 2006 brought together military forces from Australia (AUS), Canada (CAN), Chile (CHL), Peru (PER), Japan (JPN), the Republic of Korea (KOR), United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). US Navy photo by MC1 Dennis C. Cantrell (# 060630-N-8157C-109), available from the Defense Visual Information Center, id.: DN-SD-07-09201.

US Navy Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) man the rails as their ship, escorted by tugboats, departs Naval Station (NS) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (HI), July 5, 2006. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006. US Navy photo by MC2 Rebecca J. Moat (# 060705-N-8629M-185), available from the Defense Visual Information Center, id.: DN-SD-07-09204.

Pacific Ocean, July 25, 2006 — Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) spell out "RIMPAC 2006" on the flight deck during a photo exercise conducted to commemorate the last day of the exercise. RIMPAC trains U.S. and allied forces to be interoperable and ready for a wide range of potential combined operations and missions. Eight nations participated in this year's RIMPAC, the world's largest biennial maritime exercise. Conducted in the waters off Hawaii, RIMPAC brings together military forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman James R. Evans (# 060725-N-7981E-170).

Sailors man the rails as USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) returns to her home port at Naval Station Everett, August 8, 2006 after completing a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific in support of the Global War on terrorism and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Douglas G. Morrison (# 060808-N-3309M-001).

Bremerton, Wash., March 7, 2007 — Sideboys greet Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet (and future CNO), ADM Gary Roughead, aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Roughead spoke with the aircraft carrier Sailors about the at-sea to in-port rotation of operational ships within his area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick M. Bonafede (# 070307-N-1229B-006).

Everett, Wash., June 30, 2007 — Sailors man the rails as USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) pulls into her homeport at Naval Station Everett. The aircraft carrier returned from five days of sea trials following a nine-month dry-dock planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wa. The sea trials tested the ship's systems and crew in preparation for their return to full operational capability status. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Justin R. Blake (# 070630-N-5384B-235).

Everett, Wash., July 4, 2007 — Sailors, friends and family watch Naval Station Everett's Fourth of July fireworks display from the flight deck of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Timothy C. Roache Jr. (# 070704-N-5837R-016).

Everett, Wash., August 20, 2007 — USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) rolls off the high sea toward home at Naval Station Everett. The aircraft carrier was returning from performing operations as a part of Tailored Ship's Training Availability and Final Evaluation problem off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Beckjord (# 070820-N-8029B-035).

Three views of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), CFB Esquimalt, British Columbia, October 4, 2007.

Members of Helicopter Visit Board Search Seizure (HVBSS) Team 1 ready their gear for a non-compliant boarding exercise during the early morning hours of October 22, 2007 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). HVBSS-1 was the first dedicated HVBSS team to reach operational status and they were training aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier as part of the ship's scheduled work-up. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James R. Evans (# 071022-N-7981E-009).

This photo was taken at the Carrier Pier at North Island. The Midway is visible in the background, along with San Diego's lights.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) underway at high speed in the Western Pacific Ocean, April 4, 2008. Abraham Lincoln and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Two were underway on a scheduled deployment to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans (# 080404-N-7981E-692).