US Sending Fresh Carrier to Mideast Amid War Strain

The Pentagon is preparing to deploy the USS George Washington to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, according to reporting Thursday. U.S. Officials said the deployment is part of a routine carrier rotation that had been scheduled before Congress raised concerns about conditions aboard the Lincoln.

The Abraham Lincoln departed in November but was redirected to the Middle East in January as the United States prepared for potential conflict with Iran. Since then, the carrier's aircraft have participated in Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. Air campaign against Iran, and the ship has maintained a maritime blockade of Iranian ports.

The extended mission has strained the crew significantly. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., noted the carrier has spent more than 250 days deployed and nearly 200 consecutive days without stopping at a port. Blumenthal sent a letter this week to War Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao requesting information about conditions aboard, citing reports of supply shortages, contaminated drinking water, plumbing failures, safety issues, mail delivery interruptions, and increasing mental health challenges among sailors.

Representative Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., also said he plans to press the Pentagon and Trump administration for answers. "At the end of the day, we know that those who are serving have to have comfort knowing that they're getting properly taken care of," Stutzman told CNN on Thursday.

Earlier reports indicated sailors had coped with dwindling food supplies and shortages of everyday necessities such as toothpaste and soap. Lawmakers have expressed growing concern about crew fatigue and declining mental health after months of continuous operations with virtually no port visits for rest.

The USS George Washington deployment will allow the Abraham Lincoln to return home while maintaining U.S. Aircraft carrier presence in the region as tensions with Iran remain elevated.