Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to travel to San Diego on Tuesday to greet the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln upon their return from a lengthy deployment. The aircraft carrier, which had its mission extended in the Middle East, is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.

According to the Pentagon, the Secretary’s visit is intended to engage directly with the service members. Hegseth’s itinerary includes delivering remarks to the crew, participating in physical training sessions, and sharing a meal with the sailors. This visit marks a high-profile public appearance for the Secretary as he oversees the return of a major naval asset from a region that has seen significant military activity in recent months. The deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln was extended to maintain a presence in the Middle East, and the homecoming ceremony serves as a formal conclusion to that mission.