Iran's Bahrain base attacks caused USS Lincoln supply woes: report

Supply problems plaguing the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier are linked to Iranian drone and missile attacks on a U.S. naval base in Bahrain, according to a report by The New York Times. The attacks forced the U.S. Navy to alter its supply strategy early in the U.S.-Iran war.

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The Lincoln’s extended deployment raises broader questions about the Navy’s ability to sustainably generate carrier forces while preserving service member well-being, maintenance, schedules, fleet readiness, and the capacity to respond to future contingencies

Instead of using the Bahrain base for operations in the Gulf of Oman, the Navy moved its supply operations to the U.S. naval base on Diego Garcia. The New York Times noted that this island base is located over 3,500 kilometers from the two U.S. carrier strike groups operating in the region.

This shift in logistics has directly impacted the USS Abraham Lincoln, leading to reported shortages and water contamination, according to U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal. Blumenthal, a Marine Corps Reserve veteran, has demanded a formal inquiry into the conditions aboard the carrier, citing concerns about the Navy's ability to sustain carrier forces during extended deployments while ensuring crew well-being and readiness.

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No, they’re not

Further concerns arose from reports of crew members experiencing deteriorating mental health and attempting to jump from the aircraft carrier. However, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) denied these claims on social media. President Donald Trump also dismissed the concerns, stating the ship's deployment was "not nearly long enough" and that families were not worried.

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not nearly long enough