An article summarized by Stars and Stripes:
The USS George Washington has arrived in the U.S. Central Command area and is transiting the Arabian Sea, where it will replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in a regularly scheduled carrier rotation. The move comes after the Lincoln spent more than 250 days deployed, including more than 200 days without a port visit, far longer than the Navy's typical 30–45-day port-call cycle. The Lincoln was sent to the Middle East in January ahead of U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran and participated in the bombing campaign and blockade of Iranian ports.
The lengthy deployment has raised concerns about sailors' mental health and morale. Stars and Stripes and Military Times reported accounts from sailors and family members describing declining morale, suicidal thoughts and multiple incidents involving sailors attempting or considering going overboard. Family members urged the Pentagon to bring the carrier home. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has rejected claims that conditions were as bad as reported, while President Trump recently downplayed concerns about the deployment's length. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the Lincoln will return home soon, while CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper acknowledged problems aboard the ship but said issues involving food, hot water and other conditions had been addressed.
The George Washington, the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is based in Japan and had recently been operating in the South China Sea before heading toward the Middle East. Its deployment leaves no U.S. aircraft carrier strike group west of San Diego, highlighting the strain that ongoing global military commitments can place on the Navy's carrier fleet and personnel.
