The United States is preparing to send the aircraft carrier "USS George Washington" to the Middle East, replacing "USS Abraham Lincoln" as part of a planned rotation of carriers stationed in the region, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing informed U.S. officials.
Officials noted on Thursday that replacing the "Abraham Lincoln" was already planned before rising concerns in Congress about living conditions on board, following an extended deployment with very limited port stops.
The "Abraham Lincoln" began its scheduled deployment in November, before the U.S. redirected it to the Middle East in January, just before the onset of the American campaign against Iran on February 28.
The carrier and its aircraft participated in the U.S. bombing campaign under "Operation Epic Fury" and continued its mission as part of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, the report added.
As the deployment extended and operations continued, concerns grew within Congress regarding the sailors' conditions on board, prompting calls for the Department of Defense to clarify service conditions and address mental health, supply, and safety issues.
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal highlighted that "Abraham Lincoln" spent over 250 days deployed, including about 200 continuous days without stopping at any port, an exceptionally prolonged period at sea.
In a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Navy Secretary Hong Chau, Blumenthal cited reports of shortages in basic supplies, water contamination, sanitation issues, deteriorating mental health among some crew members, and safety concerns on board.
He also noted mail system disruptions that resulted in lost packages or significant delivery delays for the crew.
Republican Representative Marlin Stutzman announced his intention to request a briefing from "the Pentagon" and the administration regarding conditions on board, stressing the importance of appropriate care for service members during extended deployments.
In contrast, Hegseth dismissed reports of deteriorating conditions on "Abraham Lincoln" on Thursday, suggesting they provide a "completely inaccurate picture."
During a visit to Panama, he assured reporters that the department is committed to maximizing support and supplies for every ship, crew, and captain, acknowledging that some military deployments are inherently longer.
He praised the sailors serving on the carrier, highlighting the difficulty of their mission at sea with limited port stops.
Earlier U.S. reports in August highlighted challenging living conditions on the carrier, including shortages of certain food items and dwindling stocks of essentials like toothpaste and soap.
Meanwhile, the "USS George Washington," usually based in Japan, is heading towards the region after conducting operations in the Pacific over recent weeks.
According to the Wall Street Journal, navigation data showed the carrier passing through the Strait of Malacca this week alongside missile-guided destroyers, signaling progress in its new deployment route.
The carrier swap demonstrates Washington's sustained naval presence in the Middle East, with the dispatch of "George Washington" highlighting continued reliance on aircraft carrier groups in the region for the foreseeable future.