The United States (U.S.) is sending another aircraft carrier to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for almost nine months amid the ongoing war with Iran.
The USS George Washington is heading toward the region as concerns continue to grow over the prolonged deployment of the Lincoln and the conditions faced by thousands of sailors aboard the ship. A U.S. official confirmed the move to CBS News.
The Abraham Lincoln was originally deployed in November 2025 and was initially sent to the Pacific. However, the carrier was later redirected toward the Middle East as tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated into war.
The carrier has now spent more than 250 days at sea, with its deployment repeatedly extended.
The prolonged mission has prompted concerns from some sailors’ families, who have reported shortages of food and other supplies as well as growing mental health problems among crew members.
During a recent town hall with the acting Navy secretary, families reportedly expressed frustration after receiving no clear answer about when the carrier and its crew would finally return home. The Navy normally avoids publicly revealing the exact movements of its aircraft carriers for security reasons.
The situation has also attracted the attention of lawmakers, with some calling for greater scrutiny of the unusually long deployment and its impact on the sailors.
Reports have included concerns over living conditions, supplies and mental health aboard the ship.
However, the Pentagon has pushed back against some of the reports. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said claims about deteriorating conditions aboard the Lincoln had been “completely misrepresented,” while the Navy has defended its support for deployed personnel.
2026-08-15 22:34:00
