Abraham Lincoln Strike Group WESTPAC 04 Deployment
CVN-72 Abraham Lincoln
"Abe"/ "Shall Not Perish"

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group arrived in San Diego Oct. 16, 2004 before deploying on Oct. 19, 2004 to support Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet potential contingency operations and theater security cooperation initiatives. The Lincoln Carrier Strike Group deployed with the following San Diego-based ships: the cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), commanded by Capt. Joe Harriss; and the destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), commanded by Cmdr. Don Hornbeck. Other ships deploying with the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group include the Everett, Wash.-based destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86), led by Cmdr. Alexander T. Casimes; the Pearl Harbor-based attack submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724), under the command of Cmdr. David Kirk; and the fast combat support ship USS Rainier (AOE 7), based in Bremerton, Wash. Also deploying with the Lincoln Strike Group are the following units: Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2; Strike Figher Squadron (VFA) 151; Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137; and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 82.

Andaman/Indian Ocean Tsunami Relief

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group was dispatched to provide support to humanitarian relief operations following the devastation caused by the December 26, 2004 Asian Tsunamis. USS Abraham Lincoln reached the Java Sea on 30 December 2004. The Abraham Lincoln's surgical wards, engineering and construction capabilities, in addition to water purification equipment and helicopters were expected to provide much-needed assistance in relief operations, but also search and rescue missions as well as the ferrying of needed supplies to disaster areas.

Chronology

04 Mar 2005 - Returns to Everett, WA
02 Mar 2005 - Pacific Ocean
01 Mar 2005 - Returns to San Diego
24 Feb 2005 - Pacific Ocean
23 Feb 2005 - Port visit, Pearl Harbor, HI
10 Feb 2005 - Philippine Sea
08 Feb 2005 - South China Sea
07 Feb 2005 - Port visit, Singapore
04 Feb 2005 - Andaman Sea
03 Feb 2005 - Indian Ocean
02 Feb 2005 - Andaman Sea
28 Jan 2005 - Indian Ocean
26 Jan 2005 - Andaman Sea
25 Jan 2005 - Indian Ocean
12 Jan 2005 - Andaman Sea
07 Jan 2005 - Indian Ocean
04 Jan 2005 - Andaman Sea
30 Dec 2004 - Java Sea
28 Dec 2004 - South China Sea
27 Dec 2004 - Port visit, Hong Kong
29 Nov 2004 - Pacific Ocean
22 Nov 2004 - Port visit, Pearl Harbor
10 Nov 2004 - Pacific Ocean
05 Nov 2004 - Port visit, Pearl Harbor
19 Oct 2004 - Pacific Ocean
19 Oct 2004 - Deployed