Not only the Arabs but the Europeans who were that "no fighting, but humanitarian after-War assistance" ilk.
It WAS Tommy Franks.
And dammit, the USS Lincoln had the longest cruise ever. 17 months or something. THEIR MISSION was accomplished. That was the celebration.
Exactly! And .. I think it was 18 months.
They were 2 weeks from their home port of San Diego, and they were turned around in order to support the mission in Afghanistan. When that was over, they were ordered to support the war in Iraq. They were a part of "Shock and Awe".
This ship certainly earned a visit from the Commander in Chief.