With a crew of 5,000 and seven squadrons, this is the vessel designed to deter Iran from attacking Israel: the American aircraft carrier "Abraham Lincoln," which arrived in the Middle East late Wednesday night, is essentially a large airbase housing four combat squadrons and three additional squadrons dedicated to transport, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.
To put it into perspective, the sheer combat capability of the "Abraham Lincoln", on her own, is larger and more advanced than that of the entire Jordanian Air Force. The carrier is also equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, other air defense systems, and anti-ship missiles.
The "Abraham Lincoln" serves as the home for three squadrons of F-18 "Hornet" aircraft, the primary fighter-bomber of the U.S. Navy. Additionally, it includes a squadron of EA-18G "Growler" aircraft, a model adapted for electronic warfare.
Video: USS Abraham Lincoln.
But the crown jewel of the carrier's capabilities is the "Black Knights" squadron, which operates the stealth F-35C fighter jets, specially modified for deployment from the aircraft carrier's deck.
This is the first F-35 squadron to be stationed on an aircraft carrier and has been active on the "Abraham Lincoln" since 2020. The squadron itself boasts a long history and a proud legacy dating back to World War II, and it is considered the pride of the U.S. Navy's air division.
