Iran's War Delays: U.S. Aircraft Carrier Deployment May Set New Record
On August 15, Xinhua News Agency reported from Beijing that U.S. President Trump confirmed the replacement of the USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that has been deployed in the Middle East for an extended period. CNN reported on the 15th that the USS George Washington will take over the duties of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which may break the record for the longest continuous deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier at sea since the Vietnam War, set by the USS Gerald R. Ford, while returning to its home port in California.
Recently, it was reported that sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln are facing mental health issues due to the high-intensity operational tempo and prolonged deployment, with several individuals reportedly experiencing mental breakdowns and attempting to jump overboard, drawing widespread public attention. Several U.S. Congress members have called for an investigation into the matter.
According to U.S. media reports, the USS Abraham Lincoln began its planned deployment in November last year and was redirected to the Middle East in January this year, participating in U.S. military operations against Iran and the maritime blockade of Iran.
Another U.S. aircraft carrier deployed in the Middle East, the USS George H.W. Bush, has been on mission at sea for more than four months.
Previously, the USS Gerald R. Ford, which participated in operations against Iran, returned to its home port at Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia on May 16 of this year, setting the record for the longest continuous deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier at sea since the Vietnam War, with a total of 326 days of operations.
The USS Gerald R. Ford departed from its home port to the Mediterranean on June 24, 2025, and was redirected to the Caribbean in October last year to participate in U.S. military operations aimed at forcibly controlling Venezuelan President Maduro. After the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28 this year, the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group entered the Red Sea via the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean to participate in U.S. operations against Iran. Nearly 11 months of extended deployment have left the crew of the USS Gerald R. Ford exhausted, with ongoing malfunctions aboard the ship. In March of this year, a fire broke out in the laundry room of the USS Gerald R. Ford, injuring three sailors, while over 200 sailors received treatment for smoke inhalation.
According to data listed by the U.S. Naval Institute News, the record for the longest deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier at sea was set by the now-retired USS Midway, which conducted continuous operations at sea for 332 days during the Vietnam War from 1972 to 1973. Another retired carrier, the USS Coral Sea, also spent 329 days at sea during the Vietnam War. (Chen Lixi)
The USS Lincoln aircraft carrier is being replaced by the USS George Washington after a prolonged deployment in the Middle East, raising concerns about crew mental health. The USS Lincoln may set a record for the longest continuous deployment of a U.S. carrier since the Vietnam War. Meanwhile, the USS Ford recently returned from a record-setting deployment, and the USS Bush has been active in the region for over four months.
- USS Lincoln is being replaced by USS George Washington after a long deployment in the Middle East.
- USS Lincoln may break the record for the longest continuous deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War.
- Concerns have been raised about the mental health of USS Lincoln's crew due to high operational tempo.
- USS Ford recently returned from a long deployment, setting a record for continuous operation.
- USS Bush has been deployed in the Middle East for over four months.