Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), has characterized widespread reports of alarming conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier as "old news" following his visit to the ship. The carrier has been deployed for nearly nine months, with its mission extended indefinitely amid the war with Iran, keeping its more than 4,000 sailors at sea.
Last week, media reports surfaced detailing concerns from relatives of sailors about crew burnout and alleged incidents of sailors attempting to jump overboard. One report cited a sailor who entered rough seas in a life vest during what the Navy classified as a mental health episode; he was rescued within an hour. Additionally, accounts from spouses suggested their husbands had attempted to jump from the ship.
Admiral Cooper stated in an op-ed published by The Wall Street Journal that "many elements of those stories are old news." He also released a statement asserting that the USS Abraham Lincoln "currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health" of the Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers. He acknowledged that "the crew is tired" but added that "they continue to fire on all cylinders."
Earlier this month, more than 200 family members of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln met with acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao to voice their concerns. Some relatives shared deeply troubling accounts, including a spouse who received a message from her husband expressing a hope not to wake up the next day, and a mother whose daughter felt she would die on the ship. Relatives also raised concerns about food shortages, with some pictures appearing to show meager provisions, and reports of mildew and a lack of clean water, which officials stated had been resolved.
Congressional Democrats had previously called for answers regarding the conditions. Senator Richard Blumenthal, in a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, noted the USS Abraham Lincoln had been deployed for over 250 days, with more than 200 consecutive days at sea, a record duration. He expressed concern over "widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns" and other problems.
Amid the outcry, President Donald Trump commented on the deployment, stating it had not gone on "nearly long enough."
Following Cooper's visit, CENTCOM announced that the USS Abraham Lincoln's deployment is ending. Cooper delivered the message to the crew, stating, "You have delivered a performance for the ages, and now you are going home." He praised the service members' accomplishments, which included shooting down over 200 drones, conducting hundreds of strikes on targets, and enacting significant naval blockades. He also extended thanks to the sailors' families for their support.
The USS George Washington has departed the Pacific to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln as it prepares for its return journey.
