Live, Work & Play on an Aircraft Carrier (USS Abraham Lincoln)

The USS Abraham Lincoln was in Singapore for a layover and left on Sunday for Hawaii. The 100,000-tonne nucler-powered warship, which is the first supercarrier to visit Singapore this year, docked at Changi Naval Base last Wednesday to refuel and replenish after a five-month deployment in the Middle East. (click on the picture for a bigger view)

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), is the fifth Nimitz-class supercarrier in the United States Navy. It is the second Navy ship named after former president Abraham Lincoln. Its home port is Everett, Washington. Fresh from being awarded the Battle Effectiveness Award for its high standards of excellence and combat readiness on February 03, 2011, the USS Abraham Lincoln supported coalition ground troops in the war in Afghanistan and recently scuttled a pirate attack when patrolling the waters off the Gulf of Aden.


To feed the 5,000-plus crew for two weeks, truckloads of fresh food that were sent to the ship included 3,629kg of minced beef, 2,722kg of lettuce and 90,000 eggs!

Here's an archive photo taken on May 1, 2003 in The Pacific Ocean — President George W. Bush arriving on the USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72 in a S-3B Viking to address the nation.

President George W. Bush passes through the side boys after landing aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in "NAVY 1", an S-3B Viking from the "Blue Wolves" of Sea Control Squadron Three Five (VS-35).

The custom of having side boys originated centuries ago in the Royal Navy when officers were hoisted aboard in a sort of basket, and since senior officers usually weighed more than juniors, more boys were needed on the line. When the side is piped by the boatswain’s mate of the watch, from two to eight side boys, depending on the rank of the officer, will form a passageway at the gangway.

May 1, 2003: President George W. Bush posing with the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72. [source: maritime quest]

And here's a picture of the Blue Box (BBI) Elite Force Aviator George W. Bush U.S. President and Naval Aviator 12" Action Figure. On May 1, 2003, President Bush landed on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in the Pacific Ocean, and officially declared the end to major combat in Iraq. While at the controls of an S-3B Viking aircraft from the 'Blue Sea Wolves' of Sea Control Squadron Three Five (VS-35), designated 'Navy 1', he overflew the carrier before handing it over to the pilot for landing. Attired in full naval aviator flight equipment, the President then took the salute on the deck of the carrier.

Not too long ago on Jan. 1, 2005 in the Indian Ocean - USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) also participated in humanitarian mission. SH-60 Seahawk helicopters, assigned to the "Golden Falcons" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Two (HS-2) and the "Saberhawks" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Four Seven (HSL-47), depart from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) en route to Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia. The helicopters were transporting supplies, bringing in disaster relief teams and supporting humanitarian airlifts to tsunami-stricken coastal regions.