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.
Source: U.S. Navy
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