The USS George Washington is heading to the Middle East to take over from the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea since December 11 on a deployment initially scheduled to end in May. The Lincoln's crew of 5,000 has reportedly dealt with food shortages, broken plumbing, poor sanitation, and exhaustion during the nine-month mission.
Tracking data analyzed by BBC Verify indicates the George Washington, near Malaysia on Thursday, could arrive in about nine days. It left a naval facility in Yokosuka, Japan, in May for Pacific patrols and is now set to replace the Lincoln, according to a US official cited by CBS News, the BBC's US partner.
Family members of Lincoln sailors have voiced concerns about deteriorating mental health, with some reports of sailors attempting to jump overboard. The US Navy has acknowledged supply challenges but denies a mental health crisis on the ship.
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on Friday, dismissed concerns about the deployment's length, saying it was "not nearly long enough." He confirmed a replacement ship is on the way but did not name it.
Jefferson Kelly, whose son Jackson serves on the Lincoln, told CBS that deployments typically last about six months, and "they should not be deployed this long." He added, "These are old ships. It's not like they're even state-of-the-art. And they take a lot of maintenance, a lot of work. It's around the clock."
A relative of a Lincoln sailor, speaking anonymously to the BBC, claimed their family member lost 65 pounds (29 kg) and suffered exhaustion from constant noise and vibrations. The relative also said sailors had attempted to jump from the ship.
The Navy has denied an increase in suicidal behavior but acknowledged supplies were "disrupted by combat actions" during the war with Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said some media reports were "completely misrepresented," adding the government is ensuring "every ship, every crew, every captain has everything we can provide them at every single moment."
Democratic lawmakers have called for attention to the conditions. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut wrote to Hegseth and Navy Secretary Hung Cao on Wednesday, saying the reports "warrant immediate attention" and raise questions about the Navy's ability to sustain its operational tempo.
Once the George Washington arrives, it will be the third US carrier in the Middle East, joining the USS George HW Bush. No US carrier will remain in the Pacific.
Source: BBC News
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