USS George Washington to Replace USS Abraham Lincoln

As the political and military crisis between the United States and Iran continues, reports in the U.S. media that a new aircraft carrier will be assigned to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed near Iran, have drawn attention. U.S.-based NBC News reported, citing two unnamed U.S. officials, that the USS George Washington was heading toward the region to replace the Lincoln. It was claimed that the change would be carried out as part of a previously planned deployment schedule. The change was reportedly taking place at a time when expectations for an end to the Iran war had weakened and U.S. officials were concerned about the “low morale” of troops deployed in the Middle East.

Sailors and families complain of “deteriorating mental health”

The report also stated that sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and their families had raised complaints about shortages of basic necessities on the ship, months of uninterrupted deployments and deteriorating mental health. It was also reported that some sailors’ families had brought claims to the media that their relatives had attempted to jump overboard from the ship.

U.S. senator sends letter to Defense Secretary Hegseth

According to the report, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal stated that the USS Abraham Lincoln, which began its deployment last November, had set a record by operating for approximately 200 days without making a port call. Blumenthal reportedly sent a letter yesterday to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, drawing attention to allegations regarding conditions aboard the aircraft carrier. In his letter, Blumenthal said, “There are widespread complaints about shortages of basic necessities, contaminated water, plumbing problems, deteriorating mental health, concerns about deck safety, and problems with the mail system that have caused cargo sent to the ship to go missing for months.”

Hegseth, however, said that the allegations regarding conditions aboard the ship were “completely misrepresented.” The U.S. Defense Secretary said in remarks to reporters during his visit to Panama, “We are making sure that every ship, every crew and every captain has access to everything we can provide at any moment. Some deployments last longer than others. I have more respect and gratitude for these sailors than anyone. The work they do in difficult conditions on the open seas, with fewer port visits, is truly incredible.”

Meanwhile, it was reported that sailors’ families raised their complaints about conditions aboard the ship with Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao at a meeting held in San Diego, California, earlier this month.

Security sources reported that the USS George Washington and its accompanying carrier strike group were located near the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.

In addition to the USS Abraham Lincoln, the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier is also known to have been deployed in the region as part of the Iran conflict.