Highlights in the history of the USS Abraham Lincoln

Published 8:20 pm Friday, November 18, 2011

Here are some highlights of the history of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln — and what’s next for the ship.

1984: Construction begins in Newport News, Va.

1988: Christened, fifth in the Nimitz class of ships.

1989: Commissioned on Veterans Day.

1990: Cruises into the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

1991: First deployment to western Pacific and Indian oceans, Arabian Gulf.

1992: Leads Fleet Week Parade under the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco Bay, where it was initially homeported at Alameda Naval Air Station.

1994: Becomes the first nuclear-powered carrier to moor at the new pier at Naval Station Everett.

1997: Sails into its new homeport of Everett.

2002: Leaves for 10-month deployment to Persian Gulf for combat.

May 1, 2003: President George W. Bush visits the Lincoln off California coast.

May 6, 2003: Lincoln returns to a huge welcome in Everett.

2005: Provides aid after earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia.

2007: Celebrates 10 years in Everett with July 4 onboard visit of more than 5,000 people.

2011: Departure from Everett, deployment to Middle East.

2012: Circumnavigation ending in Virginia.

2013: Scheduled start of refueling of its nuclear reactors.