Democrats Demand USS Lincoln Probe After 260-Day Deployment as Iran War Strains Navy Readiness
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 18
Democrats Demand USS Lincoln Probe After 260-Day Deployment as Iran War Strains Navy Readiness
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 18
Summary
22 House Democrats and separate Senate and California delegations pressed the Pentagon and acting Navy Secretary for investigations into USS Abraham Lincoln conditions and broader Navy readiness.
More than 260 days at sea without a port call has made the Lincoln the Navy’s longest nonstop deployment, amid reports of sailors trying to jump overboard and shortages of food and other supplies.
Lawmakers said the strain reflects a wider pattern in the Iran war, noting the USS Gerald Ford also logged a record-long deployment before returning in April under similar concerns about crew health.
The scrutiny comes as the Lincoln prepares to head home and the USS George Washington is rerouted from the Pacific to replace it, leaving no US aircraft carrier in the Western Pacific.
Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper have disputed or downplayed the reports, though Republican Representative Don Bacon said congressional oversight is warranted.