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San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln at center of Iran war strikes

The aircraft carrier and its strike group are conducting combat missions in the Middle East.

News

The San Diego-based Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its warships now find themselves in the thick of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the U.S. war in Iran" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/trump-address-iran-war-length" data-vars-content-id="1f57347f-a01f-4163-ac13-1fdc530d0475" data-vars-headline="San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln at center of Iran war strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/trump-address-iran-war-length" target="_self">the U.S. war in Iran</a> that launched over the weekend.The big picture: Identifiable by the big white &quot;72&quot; on its tower when pierside in Coronado, the 1,100-foot-long Lincoln is one of just 11 Navy carriers, and is meant to be a crown jewel of U.S. military might.Catch up quick: When deployed, the 36-year-old carrier is a small town in and of itself, hosting roughly 5,500 sailors.<ul><li>Some of those sailors are part of the carrier air wing, or CAW in Navy parlance.</li><li>The CAW includes a host of fighter jet squadrons, electronic attack and reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters.</li><li>Powered by two nuclear reactors, carriers can receive food, mail and other supplies at sea, or they make port calls in peacetime to re-up.</li></ul>The Lincoln quietly left San Diego in November for a deployment to the Indo-Pacific region before being routed to the Middle East, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Union-Tribune reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/02/28/uss-abraham-attack-on-iran/" data-vars-content-id="1f57347f-a01f-4163-ac13-1fdc530d0475" data-vars-headline="San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln at center of Iran war strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/02/28/uss-abraham-attack-on-iran/" target="_blank">the Union-Tribune reports</a>.<ul><li>Carriers like the Lincoln are so prized by the military because they can bring fighter jets close to battles without the need for land bases.</li><li>Lincoln&#x27;s carrier strike group, or CSG, includes the San Diego-based Navy destroyer ships USS Spruance and USS Pinckney, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to USNI News" data-vars-click-url="https://news.usni.org/2026/02/23/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-feb-23-2026" data-vars-content-id="1f57347f-a01f-4163-ac13-1fdc530d0475" data-vars-headline="San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln at center of Iran war strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.usni.org/2026/02/23/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-feb-23-2026" target="_blank">according to USNI News</a>. Such warships, and others like them in the CSG, are tasked with both offensive operations and defending the carrier itself.</li><li>The Pentagon has confirmed that at least one SD-based warship, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Spruance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9542101/uss-spruance-supports-operation-epic-fury" data-vars-content-id="1f57347f-a01f-4163-ac13-1fdc530d0475" data-vars-headline="San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln at center of Iran war strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9542101/uss-spruance-supports-operation-epic-fury" target="_blank">the Spruance</a>, has fired Tomahawk missiles in support of the Iran mission, dubbed Operation Epic Fury.</li></ul>The Lincoln was operating in a complex and evolving battle space even before the attack on Iran commenced.<ul><li>One of its fighter jets shot down an Iranian drone that was &quot;aggressively&quot; approaching the carrier in early February as the Lincoln operated in the Arabian Sea, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reuters reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-shoots-down-iranian-drone-approaching-aircraft-carrier-official-says-2026-02-03/" data-vars-content-id="1f57347f-a01f-4163-ac13-1fdc530d0475" data-vars-headline="San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln at center of Iran war strikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-shoots-down-iranian-drone-approaching-aircraft-carrier-official-says-2026-02-03/" target="_blank">Reuters reported</a>.</li></ul>Tell us: Are you a Navy spouse with a loved one deployed to the Middle East? How are you managing? Email SanDiego@Axios.com to share your thoughts.

How Safari Park prepared elephants for visitors

Staff say the herd needed time to adjust before guests could walk alongside them.

Environment

Bringing guests up close to elephants requires careful planning and making sure the animals are comfortable, Safari Park officials told Axios.Why it matters: The Elephant Valley exhibit is meant to allow guests to better see and experience elephants, but some activists say the priority should be the elephants&#x27; quality of life.

San Diego's chances at March Madness bid have slimmed

Winning the conference tournaments may be teams' only path to the 2026 NCAA tournament.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego State&#x27;s men&#x27;s basketball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/17/sdsu-aztecs-basketball-season-ucla-exhibition" data-vars-content-id="57c9879f-26af-4b56-b31f-15ade893c775" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s chances at March Madness bid have slimmed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/17/sdsu-aztecs-basketball-season-ucla-exhibition" target="_self">San Diego State&#x27;s men&#x27;s basketball</a> team wraps its final Mountain West regular season Friday night, but the fight for a spot in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="March Madness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/17/san-diego-college-basketball-march-madness-bracket-sdsu-ucsd" data-vars-content-id="57c9879f-26af-4b56-b31f-15ade893c775" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s chances at March Madness bid have slimmed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/17/san-diego-college-basketball-march-madness-bracket-sdsu-ucsd" target="_self">March Madness</a> is heating up.The big picture: The Aztecs have been sitting on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bubble of the bracket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/47809690/bubble-watch-mens-ncaa-tournament-march-madness-bracket-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="57c9879f-26af-4b56-b31f-15ade893c775" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s chances at March Madness bid have slimmed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/47809690/bubble-watch-mens-ncaa-tournament-march-madness-bracket-predictions-2026" target="_blank">bubble of the bracket</a>, and the team&#x27;s chances for an at-large bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fell significantly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.si.com/college/san-diego-state/basketball/san-diego-state-falls-out-ncaa-tournament-field-after-third-loss-four-games" data-vars-content-id="57c9879f-26af-4b56-b31f-15ade893c775" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s chances at March Madness bid have slimmed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.si.com/college/san-diego-state/basketball/san-diego-state-falls-out-ncaa-tournament-field-after-third-loss-four-games" target="_blank">fell significantly</a> this week after a string of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="critical losses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.si.com/college/san-diego-state/basketball/san-diego-state-coach-brian-dutcher-reacts-costly-loss-boise-state" data-vars-content-id="57c9879f-26af-4b56-b31f-15ade893c775" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s chances at March Madness bid have slimmed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.si.com/college/san-diego-state/basketball/san-diego-state-coach-brian-dutcher-reacts-costly-loss-boise-state" target="_blank">critical losses</a>.<ul><li>Winning the Mountain West tournament championship next week is the team&#x27;s best (and potentially only) shot at going dancing this year.</li></ul>

San Diego breweries squeezed as costs outpace prices

A pint of draft beer can hit $10 at taprooms as ingredient, labor and utility costs soar.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego brewery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/03/pizza-port-california-craft-brewery-sales" data-vars-content-id="c9dbdc3c-dfb6-4036-a408-b65f2b01916b" data-vars-headline="San Diego breweries squeezed as costs outpace prices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/03/pizza-port-california-craft-brewery-sales" target="_self">San Diego brewery</a> bills are going up just like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local residents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/26/san-diego-budget-deficit-fee-hikes-trash-parking-water-2025" data-vars-content-id="c9dbdc3c-dfb6-4036-a408-b65f2b01916b" data-vars-headline="San Diego breweries squeezed as costs outpace prices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/26/san-diego-budget-deficit-fee-hikes-trash-parking-water-2025" target="_self">local residents</a>&#x27;, making it tougher to brew and sell beer.Why it matters: The financial strain from higher costs, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more competition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/23/athletic-brewing-beer-dry-january" data-vars-content-id="c9dbdc3c-dfb6-4036-a408-b65f2b01916b" data-vars-headline="San Diego breweries squeezed as costs outpace prices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/23/athletic-brewing-beer-dry-january" target="_self">more competition</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="less demand" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/24/dry-january-february-athletic-beer" data-vars-content-id="c9dbdc3c-dfb6-4036-a408-b65f2b01916b" data-vars-headline="San Diego breweries squeezed as costs outpace prices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/24/dry-january-february-athletic-beer" target="_self">less demand</a> is creating a crisis for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="once-booming craft beer industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/craft-beer-production-closings-gabf" data-vars-content-id="c9dbdc3c-dfb6-4036-a408-b65f2b01916b" data-vars-headline="San Diego breweries squeezed as costs outpace prices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/craft-beer-production-closings-gabf" target="_self">once-booming craft beer industry</a> that&#x27;s leading to closures.<ul><li>Consumers are also feeling the squeeze as beer gets more expensive on draft lists.</li></ul>

ICE fears weigh on some during Ramadan in San Diego

Muslim leaders say anxiety about immigration enforcement is affecting mosque gatherings.

Religion

As San Diego&#x27;s Muslim community celebrates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ramadan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/23/schools-ramadan-muslim-education" data-vars-content-id="fb57a421-3280-4739-87d0-0ad1fe6f5ed0" data-vars-headline="ICE fears weigh on some during Ramadan in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/23/schools-ramadan-muslim-education" target="_self">Ramadan</a> this year, the fear of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids is bringing increased anxiety for some around gathering at mosques.Why it matters: Ramadan is a time of spiritual renewal and being in community, but fears about ICE shatter that peace, Tazheen Nizam, director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations San Diego, told Axios.

Pope Leo XIV once celebrated Mass in San Diego

The first American pope celebrated Mass at St. Augustine High School for its 90th anniversary in the 2012-2013 school year.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The first American pope" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/05/us-power-conclave-new-pope" data-vars-content-id="4fc54543-8839-4ecd-95db-5c12ebcd8dda" data-vars-headline="Pope Leo XIV once celebrated Mass in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/05/05/us-power-conclave-new-pope" target="_self">The first American pope</a> celebrated Mass in North Park just over a decade ago.Why it matters: Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected Thursday to head the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion worldwide members.

Former San Diego bishop will help pick next pope

The secretive conclave marks a new era leadership for the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Robert McElroy, the former <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bishop of San Diego" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/01/06/san-diego-cardinal-archbishop-washington-dc" data-vars-content-id="8d896af0-7cd9-427e-a025-5d4d9d0b8ceb" data-vars-headline="Former San Diego bishop will help pick next pope" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/01/06/san-diego-cardinal-archbishop-washington-dc" target="_self">bishop of San Diego</a>, is part of a highly secretive conclave that will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="select the new pope" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/how-is-a-new-pope-chosen-francis" data-vars-content-id="8d896af0-7cd9-427e-a025-5d4d9d0b8ceb" data-vars-headline="Former San Diego bishop will help pick next pope" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/how-is-a-new-pope-chosen-francis" target="_self">select the new pope</a>.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pope Francis&#x27; death" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/pope-francis-dies-easter-monday-vatican" data-vars-content-id="8d896af0-7cd9-427e-a025-5d4d9d0b8ceb" data-vars-headline="Former San Diego bishop will help pick next pope" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/pope-francis-dies-easter-monday-vatican" target="_self">Pope Francis&#x27; death</a> puts into motion a meticulous process that brings cardinals from across the globe to the Vatican for a historic vote on who will lead the Roman Catholic Church.

San Diego Catholic Diocese planning services for Pope Francis

About a fifth of local residents identify as Catholic.

The Roman Catholic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Diocese of San Diego" data-vars-click-url="https://sdcatholic.org/" data-vars-content-id="bffb6f3a-198d-4487-b674-115d59e163c8" data-vars-headline="San Diego Catholic Diocese planning services for Pope Francis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sdcatholic.org/" target="_blank">Diocese of San Diego</a> plans to hold masses next week to honor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pope Francis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/25/pope-francis-calls-laws-criminalizing-homosexuality-unjust" data-vars-content-id="bffb6f3a-198d-4487-b674-115d59e163c8" data-vars-headline="San Diego Catholic Diocese planning services for Pope Francis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/25/pope-francis-calls-laws-criminalizing-homosexuality-unjust" target="_self">Pope Francis</a>, who died on Easter Monday at age 88.<ul><li>In the meantime, the diocese is asking pastors to open churches for people to pay respects at their neighborhood parishes.</li></ul>

San Diego is shifting away from Christianity

The holy shift follows a statewide and national trend driven by younger generations.

As Easter approaches, fewer San Diego and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California residents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/03/04/sf-religious-affiliation-christianity-pew-study" data-vars-content-id="ad669823-ac04-4c06-b456-6bbda4a6d9a3" data-vars-headline="San Diego is shifting away from Christianity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/03/04/sf-religious-affiliation-christianity-pew-study" target="_self">California residents</a> are observing Christian traditions compared to a decade ago, a recent study shows.The big picture: &quot;This is a broad-based social change,&quot; Alan Cooperman, the director of religion research at the Pew Research Center, told Axios.

San Diego cardinal appointed as archbishop of Washington, D.C.

Pope Francis on Monday tapped cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the bishop of San Diego, to the post.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pope Francis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/14/pope-francis-g7-ai-speech" data-vars-content-id="09ec9694-ea2e-4dfd-8517-45d2227c0cd3" data-vars-headline="San Diego cardinal appointed as archbishop of Washington, D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/14/pope-francis-g7-ai-speech" target="_self">Pope Francis</a> on Monday tapped cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the bishop of San Diego, as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="next Roman Catholic archbishop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2025/01/05/cardinal-mcelroy-vatican-washington-archdiocese/" data-vars-content-id="09ec9694-ea2e-4dfd-8517-45d2227c0cd3" data-vars-headline="San Diego cardinal appointed as archbishop of Washington, D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2025/01/05/cardinal-mcelroy-vatican-washington-archdiocese/" target="_blank">next Roman Catholic archbishop</a> of Washington, D.C.Why it matters: McElroy, a vocal ally for migrants, women and LBGTQ people in the church, steps into the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prominent religious leadership position" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/06/us/pope-archbishop-washington-robert-mcelroy.html" data-vars-content-id="09ec9694-ea2e-4dfd-8517-45d2227c0cd3" data-vars-headline="San Diego cardinal appointed as archbishop of Washington, D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/06/us/pope-archbishop-washington-robert-mcelroy.html" target="_blank">prominent religious leadership position</a> as President-elect Trump takes office.

YIGBY movement expects big 2024

Building housing on religious land got a jump start in San Diego, but a new state law has advocates hoping for a surge of interest.

Development

A new state law that will be effective in January will make it much easier for religious institutions to build housing on their land. One church in San Diego has a running head start.Driving the news: Gov. Gavin Newsom <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signed SB 4" data-vars-click-url="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB4" data-vars-content-id="b28170f3-130d-44dc-a175-82bf741fb6cd" data-vars-headline="YIGBY movement expects big 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB4" target="_blank">signed SB 4</a> — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dubbed the &quot;Yes in God&#x27;s Backyard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/yigby-housing-bill-18352986.php" data-vars-content-id="b28170f3-130d-44dc-a175-82bf741fb6cd" data-vars-headline="YIGBY movement expects big 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/yigby-housing-bill-18352986.php" target="_blank">dubbed the &quot;Yes in God&#x27;s Backyard</a>&quot; bill — in October, giving religious institutions the right to develop their land into housing, regardless of local zoning.