EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) -- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) pulled into her homeport of Everett, Wash., for the last time, Oct. 18.
Lincoln will depart Everett in December for a change-of-homeport deployment that will take the ship to its new homeport in Norfolk, Va. Lincoln is relocating to conduct a scheduled four-year refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) in-port maintenance period, which will refurbish the ship for another 25 years of service.
Lincoln Commanding Officer Capt. John D. Alexander said the ship's crew and their families will be sad to leave so many friends and Navy supporters behind when Lincoln departs Washington later this year.
"Abraham Lincoln will forever be tied to Everett and the Pacific Northwest," Alexander said. "The city has been home for the ship and our families for some 15 years. We cannot begin to express our appreciation for the support this community has provided."
The Navy announced in December 2010 that USS Nimitz (CVN 68) will replace Lincoln in Everett upon completion of a docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) maintenance at Bremerton, Wash., in December.
Lincoln has been based out of Naval Station Everett since January 1997.
"I wish to thank all the people of Washington and the Everett area for their enormous efforts on our behalf throughout the years," Alexander said. "They are all great Americans and are to be congratulated on their undying contributions to the Navy."
Lincoln departed Everett, Sept. 15, for several weeks of training in preparation for the upcoming deployment, including a three-week composite training unit exercise off the coast of California. Lincoln and Carrier Strike Group 9, Carrier Air Wing 2, Destroyer Squadron 9 and guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) participated in the exercise.
