Lincoln Receives Battle "E" Award During Deployment

From USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) earned distinction as the Naval Air Forces Pacific Battle Efficiency Award winner, Feb. 2, prevailing in an extremely close competition amongst the six aircraft carriers in the Pacific Fleet.

"Winning the 'Battle E' identifies USS Abraham Lincoln as the epitome of leadership, tactical acumen, and combat preparedness within all of naval aviation," wrote Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) Pacific, Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers in his congratulatory award message.

Earning distinction for sustained superior performance in an operational environment, the "Battle E" is the latest of several achievements earned by USS Abraham Lincoln, currently deployed in the Arabian Sea. In addition to winning the overall "Battle E" award, Lincoln won 13 of 14 departmental awards, more than any other carrier in the Navy.

It's been a banner year for Lincoln, which began early January 2010 with its first underway in nine months after completing an extensive $350 million maintenance period, which was completed on time and on budget.

The crew then completed a satisfactory Board of Inspection and Survey assessment a mere 43 days after sea trials.

In preparation for a 5th and 7th Fleet combat deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, Lincoln spent 216 days away from its homeport in 2010, yet still increased its overall advancement rate by 21 percent and Zone A retention by 10 percent.

Lincoln wrapped up deployment preparations and scored a 95.1 percent during its Final Evaluation Period almost immediately before departing its homeport of Everett, Wash., Sept. 7, 2010.

To date, during deployment, Lincoln has sailed across more than 36,000 nautical miles of open ocean and conducted the safe and expeditious completion of 8,500 arrested landings. The ship and Carrier Air Wing 2 launched more than 7,000 sorties, with nearly 2,000 directly supporting troops on the ground in combat.

Lincoln's Supply department recently earned a score of 96.8 percent for the 2010 Naval Air Forces Supply Management Inspection. This inspection was highlighted by hotel services, disbursing, and hazardous material (HAZMAT) divisions scoring 98 percent or above, including a 100 percent accurate HAZMAT inventory, a first for an aircraft carrier.

Lincoln's media department won the Chief of Naval Information Thompson-Ravitz Award for best internal communication program, and overall "Best in Show" among all award winners.

Additionally, the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department received "outstanding" results and comments on the CNAF Aviation Maintenance Management Team Aviation Maintenance Inspection, with 39 of 43 programs on-track, which was "five programs above the Fleet average."

Capt. John D. Alexander, Lincoln's commanding officer, said earning the Battle "E" highlights the outstanding efforts of Lincoln's crew in 2010 and 2011.

"We always strive for the best, but I never put any pressure on the crew to get the 'Battle E.'" It shows the crew wanted it, and we earned it," Alexander said. "I'm very proud of each and every Lincoln Sailor."

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. For more information about USS Abraham Lincoln follow the carrier on its facebook page at www.facebook.com/usslincoln.

For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn72/.