USS George Washington Heads to Middle East as Concerns Over USS Lincoln Grow

The US Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington has begun moving toward the Middle East, according to military officials, as questions mount over the prolonged deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln and the conditions faced by its crew.

The Lincoln has been on a record-setting deployment of more than 260 continuous days at sea, supporting US military operations in the region. Reports of supply shortages, interrupted mail service, and mental health strain have prompted several Democratic lawmakers to demand more transparency from the Pentagon.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the reports on Thursday, saying conditions aboard the carrier were "completely misrepresented." He told reporters, "We make sure that every ship, every crew, every captain has everything we can provide them at every single moment."

The Lincoln originally departed San Diego on November 21 and arrived in the Middle East in January, ahead of the start of US operations against Iran on February 28. The Navy acknowledged that the conflict created a "highly contested environment" in which traditional supply hubs in the region were disrupted by combat actions. The service said leadership prioritised food, hygiene items, and mail in that order, and that sailors now have access to clean water and "healthy meal options."

The George Washington left port in Da Nang, Vietnam, last week, accompanied by a cruiser and a destroyer. Navy officials confirmed the group has crossed the Singapore Strait and is now in the Strait of Malacca, placing it on a course for the Indian Ocean. The Wall Street Journal has reported that the Washington will replace the Lincoln as one of two US carriers stationed in the Middle East.

This shift will leave the Pacific without a US carrier presence for an unknown period. The Trump administration views China as "a settled force" that should be deterred from dominating the US or its allies, rather than the primary global adversary it was considered under the previous administration. The move underscores the strain on US naval resources as the military maintains operations in multiple regions.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote to Navy leadership, noting that the prolonged deployment is "especially significant" given continuing operations against Iran and the possibility that substantial naval forces will remain in the region. He asked for responses to several questions regarding crew welfare and supply chains.

Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran, said on social media that he plans to lead a bipartisan delegation to the ship, calling the treatment of sailors "not just disgusting; it's dangerous."

Hegseth, speaking during a visit to Panama, said he wants the Lincoln's sailors home and crews rotated quickly, but he pushed back on the reported problems. He expressed gratitude for the sailors' service and insisted the Navy provides everything possible to its crews.

The Navy has reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz after a period of calm in US-Iran hostilities. Hegseth said the US can maintain the blockade "indefinitely." No clear plan has been announced for winding down the conflict, leaving the duration of extended deployments uncertain.