The USS Abraham Lincoln is beginning its journey home, according to a family source. It comes after another ship, the USS George Washington, arrived in the Middle East to ease tension on the embattled Lincoln. The Lincoln, however, is still in the Fifth Fleet area of operations, meaning it has not yet left the US Central Command area of responsibility, a US official told CNN. The USS George Washington arrived Wednesday as it prepares to relieve the Lincoln, the US military confirmed Thursday. The Lincoln has been at sea during an extended deployment during the Iran war, raising concerns among lawmakers and military families after reports of worsening mental health and conditions aboard the crew. CNN previously reported that two sailors assigned to the Lincoln Strike Group had jumped overboard in recent months. Both were rescued alive, U.S. officials said. Father of a USS Lincoln service member: ‘It’s terrifying’ The father of a service member deployed to the USS Abraham Lincoln speaks to CNN’s Pamela Brown about a sailor who jumped overboard and reports of mental health issues during the ship’s eight-month deployment supporting US operations during the Iran war. Father of USS Lincoln service member: ‘It’s terrifying’ 2:39 Others were prevented from jumping, according to reports in Navy Times and Stars and Stripes. US President Donald Trump dismissed concerns, saying the ship’s nearly nine-month deployment had not been enough, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ship’s condition had been “completely misrepresented.” The US Navy recommends that carrier groups be deployed for seven months. That reaction contrasted with that of some Democratic lawmakers, such as Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who demanded answers following concerns raised by the families. A Lincoln crew member described morale on the ship as very low, as well as constant strain on essential services, such as bathrooms and water fountains around the ship frequently being shut off and hot water often unavailable. Other sailors described conditions to CNN that were different from their previous deployments, largely due to the war, which prevented the ship from calling at friendly ports. The Navy told CNN in a statement that it “has not observed an increase in suicidal ideation or attempts aboard the ship.”
