US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is being replaced in the Middle East, following concerns over prolonged deployment conditions faced by American sailors.
"That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it's being replaced with another very similar ship," Trump told reporters on Friday when asked about the concerns raised by families of service members aboard the Lincoln.
Asked whether the deployment had gone on too long, Trump responded: "No. Not nearly long enough."
The US is planning to send the USS George Washington to the Middle East to replace the Lincoln as part of a previously scheduled rotation, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
The Lincoln has been deployed for more than 250 days, with no port call in the last 200 days, according to the Journal.
The carrier began its deployment in November and was redirected to the Middle East in January ahead of the US war with Iran.
Several Democratic lawmakers are demanding answers after families of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln raised concerns about deteriorating living conditions and worsening mental health during its record-breaking deployment.
Deployed for war on Iran
The aircraft carrier left its home port of San Diego last November and has now been deployed for more than 8 months.
It was redirected to the Middle East to support US operations in the war with Iran, now entering its sixth month.
Around 5,000 sailors and Marines are aboard the Lincoln, which has gone more than 200 days without a port call.
Some sailors have reportedly tried throwing themselves into the sea, basic supplies can run short, and sanitation is going awry: life on America's giant Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is increasingly difficult as the US war on Iran drags on.
According to Senator Richard Blumenthal, the deployment marks a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea.
The senator raised concerns in a letter to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, citing reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns, and mail disruptions that have delayed care packages for months.
