USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), under the command of Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, and its carrier strike group left San Diego earlier this month for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of global maritime security operations. It marks the first time a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier has gone to sea with a female commanding officer.

Bauernschmidt assumed command of Lincoln in August 2021. “These sailors are incredible professionals who have trained exceptionally hard to ensure they are ready for any operational obligations required of us on deployment,” she said. “They are absolutely prepared for today’s deployment, and I have no doubt they will represent our nation proudly as we defend our national interests.”

In another historic first, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing departed with Carrier Air Wing Nine aboard Lincoln as the first Marine squadron to deploy the F-35C on an aircraft carrier.

The F-35C was designed and built specifically for aircraft carrier operations and brings with it the ability to enhance the inherent battlespace awareness of all naval aircraft it operates alongside.

Built at NNS, Lincoln was commissioned in 1989 and returned to the shipyard in 2013 for its mid-life refueling and complex overhaul. NNS redelivered the carrier to the Navy in 2017.