Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, described his visit to the USS Abraham Lincoln as “awe-inspiring.” He praised the crew’s resilience amidst rising concerns regarding mental health and conditions aboard the carrier.
Family members of some of those aboard the ship reported a lack of supplies and food, alongside deteriorating mental health, with several sailors reportedly attempting to jump overboard. The ship has been at sea for over 200 consecutive days without making a port call, breaking modern records, which has sparked inquiries from Democratic lawmakers.
Cooper noted, in a social media statement, that the Lincoln has the lowest number of mental health cases among the Navy’s 11 active aircraft carriers. He acknowledged the challenges, writing that long sea deployments are uniquely tough and not for everyone. He emphasized the importance of mental health as part of holistic well-being and commended Lincoln’s leaders for prioritizing crew resilience.
The Lincoln, which left San Diego in November, was redirected to the Middle East to support operations amidst U.S. military efforts against Iran. About 5,000 sailors and Marines are on the carrier.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed reports about the ship’s conditions as misrepresentative. President Donald Trump referred to the deployment duration as “not nearly long enough.” The USS George Washington is expected to relieve the Lincoln, with the transition anticipated to take weeks. The Lincoln’s return to San Diego might take at least two more weeks.