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Lawmakers demand answers over reported declining conditions aboard USS Abraham Lincoln
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed in the Middle East for over 250 days.
WASHINGTON —
The USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier deployed for more than 250 days in the Middle East, has faced scrutiny from lawmakers in Washington after families of crew members reported declining conditions on the ship.
Sailors’ families have reportedly raised alarms about the physical and mental well-being of the crew, with reports of some attempting to go overboard during their extended deployment, according to reporting from the Military Times.
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“Families are feeling left in the dark, and all families are agreeing that it is absolutely unacceptable and unthinkable to imagine,” Natalie Oliverio, Military Times Pentagon Correspondent, said.
The concerns have prompted lawmaker action.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., sent a letter to Pentagon and Navy leadership. In it, Blumenthal demanded answers about a clear plan for the ship’s presence in the Middle East and metrics to address crew fatigue, morale, mental health, and readiness, among others.
In response to questions regarding the USS Abraham Lincoln’s status, a White House spokesperson replied:
“President Trump and Secretary Hegseth are committed to ensuring that the brave American patriots serving our country in uniform are equipped with the resources necessary to counter any threat to the United States.”
Other inquiries to the Navy and Pentagon went unanswered as of Thursday afternoon.
Brent Sadler, a retired Navy veteran and senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, warned that prolonged deployments could push crews and vessels to their limits, potentially affecting readiness in dangerous situations.
“Life at sea is hard. It’s also dangerous every day,” Sadler said. “If it’s too rusty, if it’s too dirty, if things are broken, and accepted as okay, you’ve got a deeper problem because if you let the standard slip for a New York second, the next thing is the standard slips that ends up in someone getting killed.”
In addition to Blumenthal’s letter, Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., has called for a bipartisan congressional delegation to visit the USS Abraham Lincoln and conduct an investigation.
Other media reports suggested a new carrier group may soon replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in the region.
In response to questions confirming that plan, a defense official said, “We don’t discuss ship schedules to protect operational security.”
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