The U.S. Navy is sending the USS George Washington aircraft carrier to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea since December on a deployment extended beyond its original schedule. The move comes amid reports from family members of sailors aboard the Lincoln detailing alleged food shortages, poor sanitation, and deteriorating mental health conditions.
USS George Washington, which departed from Yokosuka, Japan, in May, is expected to reach the region in approximately nine days, according to BBC analysis of tracking data. This deployment of the Lincoln, with its 5,000 crew members, has lasted nine months, significantly longer than the typical six-month deployment.
Families have expressed worries about their relatives, with some reporting that sailors have considered jumping overboard due to the challenging circumstances. These conditions reportedly include infrequent port calls, plumbing issues, exhaustion, and a lack of fresh food. One relative, speaking anonymously, claimed a sailor had lost 65 pounds and was suffering from exhaustion due to constant noise and ship vibrations, confirming that some sailors had attempted to leave the ship.
U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that another ship would replace the Lincoln but did not name it. He denied that family members were concerned about the sailors' welfare and dismissed the notion that the deployment had been too long, stating it was "not nearly long enough."
The U.S. Navy has acknowledged that supply challenges have occurred, attributing them to disruptions during combat operations related to Iran. However, the Navy has denied an increase in suicidal behavior on the Lincoln.
Upon arrival, the USS George Washington will join the USS George H.W. Bush in the Middle East. The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed since December 11, 2023, with its initial tour scheduled to conclude in May. The rerouting means no U.S. aircraft carrier will remain in the Pacific following the Lincoln's replacement.