Chicago – August 14, 2026
A US aircraft carrier is heading to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln following reports of deteriorating conditions and mental health concerns among its crew during an extended nine-month deployment.
Deployment Concerns
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been at sea since November 2025, spending a record 250 consecutive days without making land, according to military reports. Families and sailors have reported food and water shortages, plumbing failures, disrupted mail service, and exhausting 12-16 hour shifts with minimal rest.
Mental Health Crisis
Multiple military publications, including Navy Times and Stars and Stripes, reported that several sailors attempted to jump overboard amid worsening morale and mental health struggles. The Navy stated it has “not observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts aboard the ship,” though officials declined to provide specific data citing operational security.
Relief Operation
The Pacific-based USS George Washington has departed from Yokosuka, Japan, and is now proceeding to the Arabian Sea to replace the Lincoln, according to US officials. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed reports of poor conditions as “completely misrepresented,” while Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded answers from Navy leadership regarding supply shortages and crew welfare.
The Lincoln’s crew is expected to return to San Diego once the relief operation is complete.
