U.S. Aircraft Carrier USS George Washington Arrives in Middle East, Relieving USS Abraham Lincoln

The U.S. aircraft carrier USS George Washington has arrived in the Middle East, taking over duties from the USS Abraham Lincoln after its more than six-month deployment. The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) confirmed the carrier and its strike group are now operating in the region.

Centcom announced the arrival via X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by an image dated August 20 showing crew members working on the flight deck as the ship sailed in the Arabian Sea. This deployment follows reports and concerns raised by families of Marines aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln regarding issues such as inadequate supplies, water contamination, and a widespread decline in the crew's mental health.

U.S. President Donald Trump had previously confirmed the replacement, stating the USS Abraham Lincoln would be relieved. However, Trump downplayed the concerns, suggesting the Lincoln had not been deployed for a sufficiently long period. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also asserted that reports about the carrier had been "distorted," assuring that the Pentagon ensures all crews and vessels are adequately supported.

Despite these assurances, Democratic senators have requested explanations regarding allegations that several crew members attempted suicide by jumping overboard. The USS Abraham Lincoln departed from San Diego in November 2025, traversed the Pacific, and reached the Indian Ocean in early 2026. It made only two brief resupply stops in Guam and Oman during its deployment. The U.S. maintains a naval blockade against Iran's coasts and ports as part of its ongoing conflict with the Islamic Republic, amidst stalled peace talks and Tehran's retaliatory closure of traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.