USS Abraham Lincoln Departs Middle East After Nine-Month Deployment

A U.S. official confirmed to CBS News that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is departing the Middle East following a nine-month deployment. The Japan-based USS George Washington has arrived in the region to replace it. The USS Abraham Lincoln, carrying approximately 5,000 crew members, departed San Diego on November 21. The ship served as a launch point for thousands of aircraft flights during the war with Iran, which began in February. While family members have raised concerns regarding mental health, sanitary conditions, and food shortages aboard the vessel, U.S. officials, including President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have sought to dismiss these claims. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao described media coverage of the conditions as dishonest. Admiral Brad Cooper of U.S. Central Command visited the ship to address complaints, emphasizing that mental health requires attention alongside physical and spiritual health. The Navy stated it has not seen an increase in reported suicide attempts and is currently investigating an August 3 incident in which a sailor fell overboard.