Daniel Wolfram
After being stationed overseas for nearly a year, over 50 new American parents on board arrived home to meet their new babies.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln docked in San Diego after 322 days deployed in the Middle East.
Air traffic control center officer Brent Ledbetter reported to the ship in November, just days before his son Nathan was born. The baby is now 10 months old.
“I just want to hold him, play with him,” Ledbetter told NBC News as the carrier reached port.
He noted that video calls kept him connected during the separation. “I’ve kind of got to see him grow up, you know, through the phone and internet. So it’s awesome. Technology’s come such a long way, and it’s incredible.”
Stranded and deployed at sea
The deployment ran far longer than scheduled. After leaving California in November, the ship expected a summer return, but then the war on Iran began in February.
Isolation weighed heavily on the 5,000 crew members. The vessel sailed for 286 consecutive days at sea before making a brief stop in Thailand.
Mental health also suffered during the voyage. There have been reports of sailors trying to go overboard and a huge lack of rations.
Both President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have dismissed those claims, with Hegseth calling them “dishonest.”
Taking their turns
The military is a huge part of the Ledbetters’ lives. His wife also works as an air traffic controller, and he relieved her on the carrier before she gave birth. Navy rules prevent spouses from serving on the same vessel together.
When he returns to active duty, she will deploy next while he stays home with their son.
Ledbetter, a 13-year veteran, praised his crewmates for staying strong. “My crew really busted their butts, and they were really accomplished,” he said. “The resiliency of them was incredible.”
He added: “You know, a lot of people think that sailors are very weak-willed. I’m very proud of the team that was out here.” The USS George Washington has now taken over operations in the region, according to US Central Command.
