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Carrier heads to Middle East
The USS George Washington has begun heading toward the Middle East after reports of mental health and supply issues aboard the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been supporting the U.S. war against Iran.
“The aircraft carrier USS George Washington has begun its journey to the Middle East”
The AP reported that the Lincoln has been continuously deployed at sea for more than 240 days, and that the George Washington departed last week from Da Nang, Vietnam, according to a Navy statement.
The Navy acknowledged that the conflict created a "highly complicated environment in which traditional supply hubs in the Middle East were disrupted by combat actions," leading to shortages and the loss of mail aboard the aircraft carrier.
In a statement, the Navy said, "Leadership prioritized critical supplies for the mission: first food, then hygiene items, and then mail," before assuring sailors aboard the ship now have access to clean water and "healthy meal options."
Lawmakers demand answers
Several Democratic lawmakers pressed for investigations and greater transparency about conditions aboard the USS Lincoln, with Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal writing that the prolonged deployment is "especially significant" because it is occurring during continuing military operations against Iran.
Al Jazeera reported that Blumenthal asked for a clear end date for the mission and how the navy is measuring mental health metrics, while Sen. Ruben Gallego said the navy "must allow a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to visit the USS Lincoln" for an oversight investigation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected the reports, telling reporters from Panama, "We make sure every ship, every crew, every captain has everything we can provide at all times."
CNN added that a sailor went overboard earlier this month off the USS Abraham Lincoln, and that the incident occurred on August 3 and was treated as a mental health episode by the Navy, according to three US officials.
Morale, safety, and oversight
The reports of worsening conditions have been tied to a broader set of concerns raised by lawmakers, including "widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health" and disruptions in the mail system, according to a letter quoted by CNN.
“widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues”
CNN reported that the USS Lincoln has more than 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard and has been deployed for more than 250 days after being redirected to the Middle East, with no port call in more than 200 days, setting a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea.
The Navy said in a statement to CNN, "We have not observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts aboard the ship," and said it has religious, medical and mental health professionals available to assess and address concerns.
As the George Washington moves to replace the Lincoln, the AP reported that the White House has not been entirely clear about how it intends to end the war, while the Navy has reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
