 USS Abraham Lincoln, the flagship of carrier strike group 12, and its crew of nearly 6,000 sailors departed Norfolk on April 1, 2019 for a regular scheduled deployment for the first time since 2012. Captain Putnam Brown, commanding officer of Abraham Lincoln, participated in media availability on the pier before departure. I tell you what, this community could not be a better community as far as Navy support, but the ship is excited about getting back to California. That's where its roots are, and that's where we're looking forward to going. Deploying ships and aircraft to the strike group, commanded by rear Admiral John Wade, include flagship USS Abraham Lincoln, the nine squadrons of carrier Air Wing 7, staffs of carrier strike group 12, destroyer squadron 2, and the guided missile cruiser, USS Leitegolf. CSG-12 is scheduled to operate in six-fleet area of responsibility, conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts alongside allies and partners. The deployment will conclude with Abraham Lincoln changing home port to San Diego, California. Reporting for USS Abraham Lincoln, this is MC-3 Shane Bryant.