Why the Iran-bound USS Abraham Lincoln ranks among the greatest US Navy aircraft carriers ever built?

The Iranian authorities recently unveiled of the mural in Enghelab Square with a slogan “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind", serving a direct message to the United States against any military action. This threat comes as the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and accompanying warships move toward the region. Commissioned in 1989, the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that has played a central role in projecting American naval power across the globe. From the end of the Cold War to operations in the Middle East, the carrier has consistently demonstrated operational flexibility and endurance.

Abraham Lincoln has supported multiple major US military operations, including post-9/11 strikes in Afghanistan and Iraq. Its ability to launch sustained air operations from the sea allows the United States to respond to crises rapidly, even when regional bases are unavailable. Flight operations were conducted for more than 15 straight hours on 16 different days.

Abraham Lincoln is a floating airport, capable of launching as many as four aircraft every minute. Powerful steam catapults, which are affectionately known as 'Fat Cats' have the ability to accelerate a 37-ton jet from zero to 180 miles per hour in less than three seconds.

The carrier’s air wing, Carrier Air Wing Nine, includes F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, F-35C and MH-60R/S helicopters. These aircraft provide air defence, strike capability, surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare, giving the strike group a self-contained, multirole combat capacity.

The USS Abraham Lincoln frequently operates in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East, including current deployments near Iran. Its presence in these regions serves both deterrence and rapid-response purposes, signalling US resolve while maintaining the capability to conduct precision operations.

The USS Abraham Lincoln completed a comprehensive mid‑life Refuelling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) in May 2017. Over the course of the four-year process, approximately one-third of the carrier’s lifecycle maintenance was carried out. Following this extensive modernisation, Abraham Lincoln returned to the fleet as one of the most technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in service and is expected to remain a critical component of the US defence for an additional 25 years. The upgrades included advanced radar, modern communications systems, and enhanced aviation support to accommodate newer aircraft, ensuring that CVN‑72 remains fully capable of operating alongside fifth-generation aircraft.

Beyond combat, Abraham Lincoln has maintained strong ties with local communities during port calls, such as Guam and Saipan. Sailors and Marines engage in volunteer initiatives, reinforcing goodwill and cultural exchange, while maintaining morale during extended deployments.