A US aircraft carrier is currently en route to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, a vessel experiencing significant issues reported on board. The situation has sparked considerable concern within the US Navy and military community, with reports indicating a potential mental health crisis among the 5,000 sailors stationed on the Lincoln.
The USS George Washington, which recently departed a naval facility in Yokosuka, Japan, is expected to arrive in the region within about nine days, according to BBC analysis. Tracking data compiled by BBC Verify shows that the carrier’s speed is currently at approximately 500 miles off the coast of Iran, around 22 August.
Family members of sailors onboard the Lincoln have expressed serious worries about their mental well-being, with some reporting attempts to jump overboard. While the US Navy has acknowledged supply challenges, it has vehemently denied any significant mental health crisis taking place on the vessel, maintaining that 5,000 sailors remain aboard.
The Lincoln has been at sea since December 11th, initially slated for an end-of-year deployment, with tracking data compiled by BBC Verify confirming this timeline.
Earlier this week, the Military Times and Stars & & Stripes reported that families of multiple sailors have documented instances of sailors attempting to jump from the ship due to deteriorating conditions, including poor sanitation, infrequent ports-of-call, broken plumbing, exhaustion, and shortages of fresh food.
In an interview with the BBC, a relative of a sailor on the Lincoln claimed that their family member had lost 65lbs (29kg) since the ship headed out to sea and had been suffering from exhaustion because of the constant noise of aircraft and the ship’s vibrations.
The individual, speaking on condition of anonymity due to concerns about retaliation, confirmed that sailors had attempted to jump from the ship.
The US Navy has denied any increase in suicidal behavior on the Lincoln, but has acknowledged that supplies had been ‘disrupted by combat actions’ during the war with Iran.
Democratic lawmakers have expressed growing concern over the conditions on the ship, with Senator Richard Blumenthal stating that reports of shortages and poor conditions warrant immediate attention. He added that the Navy must now address the operational tempo demanded of its carrier force.
Furthermore, the situation raises broader questions about the Navy’s ability to sustain the operational tempo now being demanded of its carrier force, a critical point that the military is actively considering.
This incident highlights a confluence of factors contributing to the challenges faced by the Lincoln, including the complexity of the deployment, the proximity of potentially hostile activity in the region, and the need to maintain operational readiness while addressing the well-being of its crew. The situation remains fluid, and ongoing monitoring is expected to be crucial as the carrier continues its journey and the situation evolves.
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Source: BBC News
