USS Abraham Lincoln’s strained deployment exposes limits of US naval power in Iran war

During its unprecedented deployment, the USS Abraham Lincoln has faced shortages of essential supplies, maintenance backlogs and declining crew morale, prompting reports of personnel attempting to jump overboard. Analysts link these problems to the broader logistical strain caused by Iranian strikes on U.S. bases, which have pushed the Navy to use Diego Garcia—over 2,000 miles from the operational area—as its primary resupply hub.

Democratic members of Congress have labeled the situation a pattern of neglect under the current administration, citing similar issues on the USS Gerald Ford. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed the Lincoln will soon sail back to the United States, with the USS George Washington moving from Japan to fill its role in the region, thereby leaving no carrier in the western Pacific. Think-tank forecasts suggest additional carriers may not be available until late 2026 or early 2027, raising questions about the sustainability of the U.S. naval posture in a prolonged, asymmetrical war against Iran.