Opinion

Four upgrades could decide whether America's carriers keep their edge over China

Aircraft carriers are unique because the President does not have to gain local-nation permission to launch strikes from their decks

By Rebecca Grant Fox News

Published September 16, 2026 5:00am EDT

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The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is heading for home port in San Diego, while the USS George H. W. Bush and USS George Washington remain on station in the North Arabian Gulf executing strikes and upholding the steel wall naval blockade. America’s aircraft carriers are more important than ever and Lincoln and her crew of 5,000 will get a warm welcome.

But, back in Washington, DC, stormy weather is brewing for the carrier fleet. And one rogue wave coming directly from the White House could imperil the Navy in a future fight against China.

First, a shout-out to Lincoln's combat success in the Middle East, including taking out 200 Iranian drones threatening commercial shipping. And oh yes, the Iranians tried and failed to target the Lincoln. "Since we’ve gotten here, and during Operation Epic Fury, the Iranians were looking for opportunities to attack this ship," Captain Daniel J. Keeler, commander of the Lincoln, told CNN in a hangar deck interview in July. "We’re very well-defended," said. Iran’s........

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