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The US leader chose the deck of one of the carriers which fought the war to declare victory in Iraq.

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Condoleezza Rice, a key adviser during the campaign, was already aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln to hail the chief.

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This former pilot with the Texas Air National Guard took delight in rubbing shoulders with airmen again.

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The Lincoln put on a show for its visitor, dispatching plane after plane back to land bases as he watched.

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It was a day to press the flesh of crewmen who helped pave the way to victory, getting America's bombers in the air.

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With the commander-in-chief on board and the Californian coast within reach, the Lincoln's crew were elated.