MIDDLE EAST, (August 11, 2026) - A U.S. Sailor, assigned to Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 117 observes flight operations from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Aug. 11, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo via DOW)