Overview
- The Abraham Lincoln left San Diego on November 21, 2025, was redirected to the Middle East for combat operations against Iran and has now spent roughly 250 days at sea with more than 200 consecutive days without a port call.
- Families and crew described failing plumbing, moldy showers, weeks without hot water, broken laundry machines, limited food and shortages of hygiene items that they say have worsened morale and daily life on board.
- Media reports from Navy Times and Stars and Stripes and family testimonies describe multiple overboard or jump attempts and crises among sailors, and a sailor who fell overboard on August 3 was quickly rescued and given medical care.
- The Navy and Pentagon say they have not seen an increase in suicidal ideation, note medical and mental health staff are available on the ship, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called the reports mischaracterized.
- The USS George Washington departed Da Nang and is heading toward the region to relieve the Lincoln, and multiple Democratic lawmakers have demanded briefings and possible oversight into ship sustainment, postal disruptions and crew welfare with potential effects on fleet readiness.