The USS Abraham Lincoln is nearing the end of its 260-day deployment in the Middle East, with the USS George Washington scheduled to relieve the aircraft carrier in the coming weeks, the U.S. Navy announced this week.
Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited the Lincoln on Saturday and praised the crew’s resilience, camaraderie, and teamwork in a statement posted to X. Cooper noted that the carrier currently has among the lowest number of mental health cases across the Navy’s 11 active aircraft carriers, though he acknowledged that “not all is perfect.”
The Lincoln has been deployed since November 21, 2025, supporting U.S. operations in the war with Iran and has operated for more than 200 days without a port call. Reports of food shortages, plumbing issues, and mental health concerns have surfaced in recent weeks, with families of sailors alleging deteriorating conditions aboard the ship.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed the Lincoln’s return to San Diego as part of a planned rotation, with the USS George Washington set to replace it in the region. Cao stated that officers adjusted meal plans during periods of limited resupply and limited sailors’ calls home due to operational threats, but no meals were missed.
Reports of mental health crises
The Lincoln has faced scrutiny over mental health challenges among its crew of roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines. Multiple outlets, including Navy Times and Stars and Stripes, reported incidents of sailors attempting to go overboard, though the Navy has disputed claims of a broader crisis. Cooper stated in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that many concerns raised in media reports were “old news” and had been addressed by ship leadership.
Adm. Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told ABC’s This Week that the truth about conditions on the Lincoln is likely “somewhere in the middle.” Mullen acknowledged the commanding officer’s efforts to address issues but expressed concern over the deployment’s length.
Political responses diverge
President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have dismissed reports of deteriorating morale. Trump stated on Friday that the Lincoln’s deployment was “not nearly long enough”, while Hegseth called media reports “completely misrepresented.”
Families of deployed sailors have pushed back, accusing the administration of dismissing their concerns. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), a Marine Corps veteran, criticized the administration’s handling of the situation as a “true lack of leadership.”
Navy acknowledges challenges
The Navy has acknowledged treating a small number of mental health cases without fatalities but has not confirmed reports of suicide attempts. Officials stated that leadership on the Lincoln has prioritized crew resilience and mental health support.
The Lincoln’s deployment reflects broader challenges in the Navy’s extended operations amid geopolitical tensions, with limited safe port options in the region contributing to prolonged sea duty.
Key timeline
- November 21, 2025: USS Lincoln departs San Diego for deployment.
- March 10, 2026: Lincoln supports Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
- Late May 2026: CENTCOM chief visits Lincoln, praises crew resilience.
- June 2026: Acting Navy Secretary confirms Lincoln’s return to San Diego; USS George Washington en route to replace it.
- Ongoing: Reports of mental health concerns and supply issues persist amid conflicting official statements.