US rushes new carrier to Middle East amid reports of mental health crisis on USS Lincoln
The United States is preparing to send the aircraft carrier USS George Washington to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, as mounting concerns over crew morale and conditions aboard the Lincoln have raised questions about the toll of its unusually long deployment.The USS Washington, which recently departed Da Nang in Vietnam and has since passed through the Singapore Strait and Strait of Malacca, is heading towards the Indian Ocean, according to US Navy statements and officials familiar with its movements. US officials told The Wall Street Journal that the carrier swap is part of a previously planned rotation, rather than a direct response to the concerns surrounding the Lincoln.The move comes as families and lawmakers have raised alarm over reports that sailors aboard the Lincoln have experienced severe burnout and deteriorating living conditions after more than 250 days at sea. There have also been reports of multiple sailors attempting to go overboard, with at least one sailor reportedly being stopped by another crew member.Long deployment sparks mental health concernsThe roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard the nuclear-powered carrier left San Diego on November 21 for what was initially planned as a Pacific deployment. It was later redirected to the Middle East after the US war with Iran began on February 28. The carrier has now spent more than 200 consecutive days without a port call, according to lawmakers, making the deployment an extraordinary test of the crew and the Navy’s ability to sustain prolonged operations.Families have described growing psychological strain among sailors, including concerns about suicidal thoughts and attempts to jump overboard. At a tense meeting in San Diego attended by around 200 relatives, families confronted acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao and senior commanders over the deployment and the lack of clarity over when the crew would return home.Relatives have also reported problems with basic supplies and living conditions. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said he had received reports of shortages of essential supplies, water contamination, plumbing problems, safety concerns, deteriorating mental health and major disruptions to the mail system. Other complaints have included mould, broken toilets, prolonged periods without hot water and shortages of toiletries and food.Navy disputes reports as Washington heads eastThe US Navy has pushed back against claims of a worsening mental health crisis aboard the Lincoln, saying it had not identified an increase in reported suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts on the carrier. The service has also said sailors have access to counsellors and chaplains, as well as clean water and healthy meals.Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also rejected reports of poor conditions aboard the ship, calling them “completely misrepresented”. The Navy has acknowledged, however, that the war disrupted traditional supply hubs in the Middle East, contributing to shortages and delays in food, hygiene supplies and mail.The USS George Washington and its accompanying strike group are now moving towards the region as the US maintains a major naval presence amid the conflict with Iran and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
