Washington: Reports of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln attempting to jump overboard amid mounting mental-health strain have raised fresh concerns over the toll of the aircraft carrier’s prolonged deployment in the Middle East. The carrier has been at sea for more than 260 days, with reports pointing to deteriorating morale and difficult living conditions among its crew.
Against this backdrop, the United States is sending the USS George Washington to the Middle East to relieve the Abraham Lincoln, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The George Washington is expected to replace the Lincoln as Washington continues operations linked to the conflict with Iran.
The US Navy’s carrier presence in the region has been tied to a range of missions, including efforts to restrict Iranian vessels from entering the Arabian Sea. The prolonged deployment of the Abraham Lincoln, however, has intensified scrutiny over the physical and psychological burden on its sailors.
Reports have highlighted concerns over shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing problems and declining mental health aboard the carrier. Democratic lawmakers have called for greater scrutiny of the conditions the crew faces.
The Pentagon has pushed back against reports portraying conditions aboard the Lincoln as severely deteriorated, while acknowledging the need to rotate the ship and its crew. Officials have also described the deployment of the George Washington as part of efforts to sustain US naval operations.
The George Washington, currently operating in the Pacific, has begun moving towards the Middle East, marking a major redeployment of US naval power as concerns over the Lincoln’s extended mission continue to grow.