SAN DIEGO GREETS USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO HEROES WELCOME

 Local daily shares heartwarming photographs. 

NO PLACE LIKE HOME--Aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln sails by a flotilla of well-wishers enroute to its home berth at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado. Photo: Howard Lipin/ for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

GUEST BLOG / By Staff of the San Diego Union-Tribune--Around 10:30 am yesterday, with the 36-year-old USS Abraham Lincoln, still seven miles from homeport San Diego, the crew let out a cheer as "The Abe" turned its bow straight for the harbor.  

Minutes later two F-18 fighter jets buzzed overhead to honor the returning heroes. When the Lincoln entered San Diego Bay--still out of sight of the waiting welcoming throng--nearby vessels of all shapes and sizes sounded their horns, and tugboats sprayed water to honor the ship. 

 Hundreds of white-clad Navy sailors lined the flight deck celebrating their return home. As the Lincoln sailed passed the USS Carl Vinson, the Vinson sounded its horn in salute, and the Lincoln sounded its horn in return--a classic ritual. 

The arriving carrier was awarded a Unit Citation, the highest award for valor that can be bestowed upon an entire military unit. It was a reward for executing more than 3,600 combat sorties that sank 64 Iranian warships and destroyed 21 anti-ship cruise missiles. 

Two months from now, the ship will sail to Bremerton Wash, where it will undergo 18-months repairs and modernations at dry dock. 

VIEWPOINTS--Supporters lined spots along the bay's waterfront, including the deck of the USS Midway Museum, waiting for a glimpse of the 1,100 ft. vessel 

WAVES TO WAVES. Sailors line the flight deck and wave to their families ending a 8,600 mile voyage from the Middle East. Photo: Luke Johnson U-T. 

REUNION CITY--Families of the more than 5,000 crewmembers reunite as the controversial carrier returns to its home base at Naval Station North Island. Photo: Luke Johnson /U-T. 

OVERDUE--Locals welcome back attack carrier after its more than 10-month deployment. Photo: K.C. Alfred/U-T. 

ABE'S BABES--Mackenzie Atkins introduces ten-month old son Declan to her husband Alexander Atkins. The ship's arrival reunited more than 60 new dads with their babies. Photo: Nelvin Cepeda/U-T. 

DAD'S HOME--Sailor Tereance Stokes, Jr. kisses his two-year-old daughter Mirrah after a 264 day combat deployment. Photo: Luke Johnson/U-T. SEMPER HOME--U.S. Marine Luis Gono, stationed aboard the Lincoln, is welcomed home by his son Maverick and wife Danielle. Photo: Kristian Carreon/U-T.