US Navy to Replace Warship After Crew Suffers Amid 9-Month Deployment

The U.S. Navy is initiating a carrier swap, replacing the USS Abraham Lincoln with the USS George Washington after the Lincoln's nine-month deployment in the Middle East. The Lincoln, which departed San Diego in November, has been at sea for approximately nine months, including 208 days of continuous sailing after deploying to the Middle East in January. This extended mission, initially scheduled to end in May but delayed twice due to the ongoing conflict with Iran, has led to significant concerns about the crew's morale and well-being.

Reports have surfaced of deteriorating living conditions and mental health challenges among the 5,000 sailors aboard the Lincoln. CNN reported an incident earlier this month where a crew member jumped into the sea but was rescued within an hour. The military newspaper Stars and Stripes noted multiple previous suicide attempts and instances where sailors were prevented from jumping. The wife of a crew member also shared her husband's near-suicide attempt with Navy Times.

These issues have prompted action from U.S. lawmakers. A group of 200 family members of Lincoln crew members voiced their concerns to acting Navy Secretary H.B. Chao. Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal and. Ruben Gallego have written to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chao, highlighting reports of "shortages of basic supplies, contaminated water, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns, and mail delivery disruptions" on the Lincoln. Gallego is also pushing for a bipartisan congressional delegation to visit the ship.

U.S. government officials maintain that the Lincoln's return was planned before the welfare concerns were raised and deny any connection. The Navy stated that there has been no increase in mental health issues or suicide attempts on the Lincoln. However, the situation underscores the immense strain long-term naval deployments can place on service members and their families, prompting a closer look at the conditions and support systems in place.

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There have been reports of shortages of basic supplies, contaminated water, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns, and mail delivery disruptions.