USS George Washington sails to Middle East as USS Lincoln prepares to return

The United States Navy confirmed that the carrier USS George Washington is en route to the Middle East to take over duties from USS Lincoln, which has been deployed for almost nine months. Families of crew members have voiced concerns at a town-hall meeting with the acting Navy secretary, citing mental-health anxieties and past food shortages, though the Navy says no increase in suicidal ideation has been detected. One sailor fell overboard earlier this month; the individual was rescued and is receiving follow-on care while the cause remains under investigation.

Supply chain disruptions in the contested theater have been partially resolved, with priority given to food, hygiene items and mail, and the ship now reports continuous access to clean water and functional air-conditioning. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed some media reports as misrepresentations and affirmed the department’s commitment to crew welfare. With USS George Washington joining USS George H.W. Bush, the Pacific will be left without an operational carrier for the time being.