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US military denies reports of misconduct on USS Abraham Lincoln
🇩🇪 Germany /Conflict & Security

US military denies reports of misconduct on USS Abraham Lincoln

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The U.S. military's Centcom command refuted reports of misconduct and deaths aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier operating in the Middle East.
  • Centcom stated the carrier has a high reenlistment rate and that no crew member died, contrary to Iranian media claims of seven fatalities from violent clashes.
  • A U.S. senator raised concerns about widespread supply shortages, sanitation issues, and deteriorating mental health among the crew, while another carrier, the USS George Washington, is heading to the region.

The U.S. military's Central Command (Centcom) has forcefully rejected claims of widespread problems and fatalities aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier deployed in the Middle East. Reports, particularly from Iranian media, alleged seven deaths resulted from violent altercations on the ship and described a tense atmosphere among the crew.

The carrier records one of the highest reenlistment rates in the US Navy with 84.4 percent.

— CentcomCentcom's statement on X refuting reports of misconduct and deaths aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Centcom countered these reports on the platform X, highlighting the USS Abraham Lincoln's high reenlistment rate of 84.4 percent as evidence of crew morale and commitment. The command asserted that sailors and Marines remain resilient after more than 260 days at sea. They clarified that a sailor who went overboard on August 3 was safely recovered, dismissing the allegations as "false reporting."

Sailors and Marines aboard are resilient and determined even after more than 260 days at sea.

— CentcomCentcom's statement on X refuting reports of misconduct and deaths aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

However, concerns have also surfaced from U.S. lawmakers. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut urged the U.S. government to detail its support for the troops on board, citing "widespread reports of supply shortages, sanitation problems, deteriorating mental health, and more" that require immediate action. He noted issues beyond simple soap or toilet problems, including a decline in mental well-being and security concerns regarding the outer decks. Unreliable mail service, with many packages lost for months, was also mentioned.

No crew member died on board the aircraft carrier, contrary to media reports.

— CentcomCentcom's statement on X refuting reports of misconduct and deaths aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for the immediate dismissal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whom he deemed incompetent, stating that sailors are paying a "terrible and unfathomable price." Amidst these controversies, another U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington, has departed Vietnam for the Middle East.

Widespread reports of supply shortages, sanitation problems, deteriorating mental health, and more require immediate action.

— Richard BlumenthalSenator Blumenthal's call for action regarding the conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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