U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Admiral Brad Cooper has characterized widely reported concerns about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier as "old news" following a visit to the ship. The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed for nearly nine months, with its return extended indefinitely amid ongoing conflict, leaving over 4,000 sailors at sea for an extended period.
Reports surfaced last week from relatives of sailors aboard the carrier alleging burnout and mental health crises among the crew. These accounts included a sailor experiencing a mental health episode in rough seas on August 3, who was rescued within an hour. Additionally, two spouses reportedly told the Military Times of their husbands allegedly attempting to jump from the ship.
Admiral Cooper stated in an op-ed published by The Wall Street Journal that his visit to the Lincoln revealed "many elements of those stories are old news." He further noted in a statement posted to CENTCOM's X account that, among the Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers, the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of mental health-related cases.
Earlier this month, a town hall meeting saw over 200 family members express concerns to acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao. Some relatives described harrowing messages from loved ones, including one spouse who said her husband hoped he wouldn't wake up the next day, and a mother who relayed her daughter's feelings of never being able to come home. Concerns were also raised about food provisions, with reports of meager meals and issues like mildew and lack of clean water, though officials stated the latter had been resolved.
Congressional Democrats had also demanded answers, with Senator Richard Blumenthal writing to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the ship's record-setting deployment of over 250 days at sea without coming ashore for more than 200 days. Blumenthal voiced concerns over "widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns" and other problems.
Amid the outcry, former President Donald Trump, when asked about the deployment length, responded that it had "not nearly long enough."
CENTCOM announced Sunday that the USS Abraham Lincoln's deployment is concluding. Admiral Cooper shared this news during his visit, stating, "I delivered the words every deployed sailor and Marine longs to hear: 'You have delivered a performance for the ages, and now you are going home.'" He acknowledged the crew is tired but continues to perform at a high level. Cooper highlighted the carrier's accomplishments during its deployment, including downing over 200 drones, executing hundreds of strikes on IRGC targets, and enacting what he described as "the most effective naval blockade in modern history."
As the USS Abraham Lincoln prepares to return, the USS George Washington has departed the Pacific to take its place. Cooper also extended thanks to the sailors' families, acknowledging their strength and the end of their wait for reunion.