The USS George Washington aircraft carrier strike group has arrived in the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln. US Central Command announced that the Washington, which previously operated in the Pacific, reached the Arabian Sea on Wednesday.
The transition follows reports of dire and degraded living conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed since November 2025. The vessel has gone months without a port stop, including a record-setting uninterrupted stretch at sea of over 250 days.
Relatives of crew members have highlighted deteriorating conditions, citing supply shortages, plumbing problems, and low morale. There have also been reports of mental health challenges and several suicide attempts among the personnel.
These conditions have raised questions over US war planning and contributed to criticism of Donald Trump's war against Iran. While the Washington has arrived in CENTCOM's area of responsibility, no date has yet been announced for the Lincoln to return to the United States.