The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed for more than 250 days, far past its original May return date, with about 5,000 sailors aboard reportedly facing food shortages, plumbing failures, contaminated water and exhaustion. Military outlets reported multiple sailors have attempted or considered jumping overboard, and one relative said their family member lost 65 pounds during the deployment.
Senators Richard Blumenthal and Ruben Gallego have demanded Pentagon answers and congressional access to the ship, citing lost mail, deck safety concerns and deteriorating mental health.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the reports "completely misrepresented," while a Navy official said there had been no identified increase in suicidal ideation and that supply disruptions were due to combat conditions, with food, hygiene items and mail being prioritized in that order.
The carrier is reportedly being replaced by the USS George Washington as part of a previously scheduled rotation, though no return date has been announced.
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