San Diego-based carrier USS Abraham Lincoln a key player in U.S., Israel attack on Iran

The United States’ joint attack with Israel against Iran deeply involves San Diego’s USS Abraham Lincoln, one of the most distinguished and technologically advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the world and a veteran of major wars in the Middle East.

The 1,092-foot flattop is the flagship of a nine-ship strike group that features upward of 60 aircraft and roughly 7,600 personnel, according to the U.S. Naval Institute. Two of the group’s escorts, the destroyers USS Spruance and USS Pinckney, also are based in San Diego, the headquarters of the Third Fleet.

The aircraft now aboard the Lincoln come from Naval Air Station North Island, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and bases at Point Mugu, Lemoore, located in the Central Valley, and Whidbey Island in Washington.

The 37-year-old carrier is operating off Oman in the Arabian Sea with a primary mix of F/A-18 multi-role fighter jets and new generation F-35C stealth fighters. Four years ago, the Lincoln became the first carrier to deploy with F-35Cs. Both of these aircraft carry precision-guided air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, giving the carrier range and power.

The Navy sa...