US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Adm. Brad Cooper visited the USS Abraham Lincoln on Saturday as the aircraft carrier comes under increasing attention over its extended deployment and reports of worsening conditions on board.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been operating in the Middle East for more than 260 days since November. Its deployment has continued well beyond its initially anticipated return in May.
According to CENTCOM, Cooper’s visit to the carrier was part of a 10-day tour across the region, which also included Bahrain, Iraq, occupied Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Cooper praised the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and its personnel for their performance throughout the mission. He said the deployment would likely be remembered as one of the most operationally demanding and significant deployments of the modern era.
However, the lengthy mission has raised growing concerns about the welfare of roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines serving aboard the carrier. The crew had originally expected to return home in May, but acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the deployment was extended because operational requirements made it necessary.
Cooper had also visited the USS Abraham Lincoln in February with US Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. At the time, CENTCOM said the carrier was deployed to the region in support of maritime security and stability.
Attention later shifted to conditions aboard the ship following reports of mold in shower facilities, spoiled food, and incidents involving sailors reportedly attempting to jump from the carrier.
On Friday, Cao announced that the USS Abraham Lincoln would return home as part of a scheduled rotation, with the USS George Washington set to replace it. He disputed reports describing poor conditions aboard the ship, arguing that media coverage was portraying US military personnel as victims.
At the same time, Congressional Democrats have begun inquiries into the physical and mental well-being of the crew, as well as the federal government’s handling of the reported problems. Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona also joined Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut on Thursday in calling for an official bipartisan congressional visit to the aircraft carrier.
Source: Tasnim News
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