U.S. Aircraft Carrier "Washington" Sets Sail for the Middle East

Reference News Network reported on August 16 According to the Associated Press on August 13, the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Washington stationed in the Pacific has set sail for the Middle East. Recent reports have indicated that the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed in the Middle East for a long time, is facing issues related to crew mental health and supply shortages.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has been providing support for the U.S. war against Iran, setting a record of over 260 consecutive days of sea duty during this deployment. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated on the 13th that reports regarding the poor condition of the carrier are “completely distorted.”

During the war with Iran, the deployment cycle of the carrier has been extended, raising concerns about the impact on crew members who are away from home for long periods, as well as increasing wear and tear on the ship and its equipment.

Although hostile actions between the U.S. and Iran have calmed down in recent weeks, the U.S. Navy has begun to implement a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the Trump administration has not clearly stated how it intends to end this war. Austin told reporters that the U.S. is able to maintain the blockade “indefinitely.”

A statement from the U.S. Navy indicated that the USS Washington departed from Da Nang, Vietnam last week. Subsequently, the carrier was seen transiting the Singapore Strait accompanied by a cruiser and a destroyer.

The USS Abraham Lincoln initially set sail for its deployment mission from San Diego on November 21, 2025, and arrived in the Middle East in January 2026. The U.S. Navy acknowledged that the outbreak of the war with Iran in February created a “highly contested environment, disrupting traditional supply hubs in the Middle East.” The U.S. Navy stated in a release that this subsequently led to supply shortages on the carrier.

During a visit to Panama, Austin told reporters that he hopes the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln can return home and rotate as soon as possible, but he refuted reports of various issues aboard the ship.

In April of this year, when reports of food shortages on the USS Abraham Lincoln first emerged, the U.S. Navy denied them, stating that the reports were “inaccurate.”

Subsequently, reports indicated that crew members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln were struggling with mental health issues. The U.S. Navy stated in a release that “no increase in the desire or attempts at suicide among the crew has been observed.”

According to a report by Agence France-Presse on August 14, as the war with Iran drags on, life aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln is becoming increasingly difficult. Reports indicate that some sailors have attempted to jump overboard, basic supplies may be running low, and sanitation conditions have also deteriorated.

As planned, the USS Washington will replace it in carrying out missions in the Middle East. This change is sure to be welcomed by the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln and their families.

Jonathan Schroden, chief researcher at the Navy Analysis Center, stated that the crew aboard this carrier faces significant challenges due to prolonged deployments.

Schroden said, “Even in peacetime, the cramped quarters, long workdays, average food quality, and difficulty in getting fresh air, exercising, or even getting a good night's sleep make life very challenging for these sailors. Coupled with the stress of participating in combat operations, you can understand how difficult their lives become.”

Schroden pointed out that for various reasons, including “the welfare of the sailors,” the deployment time for carrier strike groups is typically set at six months. Exceeding this time “will create a variety of compounded issues that the Navy will have to address later.”

Particularly concerning are reports of suicide attempts aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. The Navy Times reported this week that two sailors attempted to jump overboard.

The U.S. Navy did not immediately respond to questions raised by Agence France-Presse, but U.S. Central Command posted on social media platform X that the crew “remains resilient and steadfast after over 260 days at sea.”

U.S. Central Command also stated that there have been no active-duty deaths aboard the carrier, and a sailor who fell overboard on August 3 was “quickly rescued.”

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on August 14, officials and analysts have expressed concerns that this carrier rotation has raised questions about the U.S. Navy's ability to respond to global events and maintain its long-term operational capability. The U.S. Navy has 11 active aircraft carriers, all of which require maintenance after returning home.

Experts say that due to the war with Iran, the Navy fleet may take three years to return to an ideal state of readiness. If two or three carriers on the East and West Coasts of the U.S. are at different stages of needing repairs or maintenance, they will have to wait in line. (Translated by Hu Xue and Qing Songzhu)