Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, expressed admiration for the USS Abraham Lincoln’s crew after visiting the aircraft carrier. He praised their resilience amidst growing mental health concerns and deteriorating conditions.
Family members of crew members, speaking to NBC News and others, reported shortages of supplies and food, along with a worsening mental health environment. Several sailors have reportedly attempted to leap overboard.
The ship hasn’t docked in more than 200 days, breaking a modern record for continuous sea duty. This has prompted Democratic lawmakers to demand explanations.
“The Lincoln had the lowest number of mental health cases among our 11 active aircraft carriers,” Cooper wrote, while acknowledging the daunting nature of the deployment.
He emphasized that while conditions are rough, mental health is a critical aspect of overall health. He commended the carrier’s senior enlisted leaders for prioritizing mental health and crew resilience.
The Lincoln departed San Diego in November and moved to the Middle East for U.S. military operations amid tensions with Iran. It carries around 5,000 sailors and Marines.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized the portrayal of conditions on the ship, calling reports misleading. Former President Donald Trump downplayed concerns about the deployment’s duration.
An official stated that the USS George Washington will replace the Lincoln in the Middle East. The transition is expected to take several weeks, with the Lincoln’s return to San Diego anticipated to take two weeks.
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