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Women in Boating

Navy Captain First Woman to Command Nuclear Carrier

U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln

The USS Abraham Lincoln deployed from San Diego under the command of Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt.

The USS Abraham Lincoln made history in early January when it deployed from San Diego under the command of Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, the first woman to lead a nuclear-powered carrier. 

On January 3, the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group departed with Bauernschmidt leading the regularly scheduled deployment in support of global maritime security operations. 

Historic Deployment

USS Abraham Lincoln

Navy Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt speaks to the USS Abraham Lincoln crew during a Veterans Day event.

There was little fanfare for Bauernschmidt as the Abraham Lincoln CSG headed out for its security mission in the Indo-Pacific region. Her focus was on the sailors and mission.  

“These sailors are incredible professionals who have trained exceptionally hard to ensure they are ready for any operational obligations required of us on deployment,” Bauernschmidt said in a Navy press release. “They are absolutely prepared for today's deployment, and I have no doubt they will represent our nation proudly as we defend our national interests.” 

Exceptional Military Career 

USS Abraham Lincoln

Capt. Bauernschmidt took command of the USS Abraham Lincoln from Capt. Walt Slaughter during a ceremony.

Bauernschmidt graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1994, the same year women could serve on combat ships and planes. She accumulated more than 3,000 flight hours. The Milwaukee native previously commanded the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD 22) and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70. 

Bauernschmidt served as the Abraham Lincoln's executive officer from 2016 to 2019. She took command from Capt. Walt Slaughter during a ceremony last August.  

Security Mission 

USS Abraham Lincoln

The Abraham Lincoln CSG leaves San Diego for an extended deployment in the Indio-Pacific region.

The units of the Abraham Lincoln CSG began their pre-deployment training cycle back in April and recently completed a month-long integrated exercise where Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet certified the strike group for deployment. 

The group consists of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and the guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 21 (DESRON 21) – USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS Spruance (DDG 111). 

“The entire CSG 3 team is trained and ready to deter and, if necessary, win conflicts as called upon by our nation’s leaders,” said Rear Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander, Carrier Strike Group 3. “As we leave today on this routine, scheduled deployment, I know the Sailors and Marines of this team will continue to serve this great nation and its people. It is our honor to do so.” 

Advanced Air Wing 

USS Abraham Lincoln

The Abraham Lincoln returning to San Diego after completing a 10-month combat deployment.

The Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and CVW 9 are deploying with the most advanced air wing in the Navy. Through the integration of organic 4th and 5th generation information and survivability, increased command and control abilities, and airborne electronic attack capacity, all sustained with a robust logistical support platform, the Navy’s next iteration of the Carrier Air Wing will be more lethal and survivable in today’s contested battlespace and well into the future. 

An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to flawlessly execute our Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations—from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.