USS George Washington arrives in Middle East to relieve USS Abraham Lincoln
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- The USS George Washington has arrived in the Middle East as it prepares to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln after its extended deployment.
- The rotation comes amid concerns over the Abraham Lincoln crew’s mental health and living conditions.
The USS George Washington aircraft carrier arrived in the Middle East on Wednesday as it prepares to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, the US military confirmed.
“The George Washington Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Middle East during a scheduled deployment after arriving in the CENTCOM theater yesterday,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on X.
The George Washington is set to replace the Abraham Lincoln, which has remained at sea for an extended period during the war involving Iran.
The prolonged deployment has raised concerns among US lawmakers and military families over the conditions faced by the carrier’s crew and reports of worsening mental health.
Earlier this month, a sailor went overboard from the Abraham Lincoln, according to three US officials cited by CNN. The incident added to concerns over the crew’s welfare during the carrier’s record-breaking deployment.
The George Washington Carrier Strike Group traveled toward the Middle East following a port visit in Vietnam on August 5, according to a US official cited by CNN.
The official said the rotation had been planned previously.
The deployment leaves the United States without an aircraft carrier in the Pacific as the George Washington operates in the Middle East.
