Sailors in distress and "suicide attempts", aircraft carrier Lincoln leaves the Middle East after 9 months.

The U.S. aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln has left the Middle East after nearly nine months of deployment, ending its mission in the region. The ship departed with its approximately 5,000-strong crew heading back to San Diego, California, following reports of deteriorating conditions aboard and allegations of attempted suicides among sailors. The move was confirmed by a U.S. official to The New York Times. In its place, the USS George Washington, which had been based in Japan, is now taking over operations in the area. The Lincoln was deployed as part of American military efforts against Iran. Recent weeks have brought attention to the poor living conditions on board due to logistical challenges caused by the destruction of a naval base in Manama, Bahrain, by Iranian forces. This base served as a critical supply hub. The Lincoln had set sail from San Diego on November 21 of last year and spent all 272 days at sea, except for brief stops in Guam in December and in Oman for refueling. Thousands of sailors aboard did not get days off during the deployment and now face a return journey of roughly 13,000 miles, potentially lasting four to five weeks. The unusually long deployment raised concerns among lawmakers and family members of service personnel regarding the living conditions and mental health of the crew. Earlier this month, a sailor was reported to have fallen overboard, according to three U.S. officials speaking to CNN. However, President Donald Trump dismissed reports of dwindling supplies and low morale, calling them "fake news." During a press briefing, Trump referenced a meeting he had with a retired admiral over the weekend. “He said, ‘I’ve been on ships that have stayed on missions much longer than this, sir, and I know people on the Lincoln. They say it’s beautifully maintained and beautifully cared for, and other people went to check and found that to be true.’ That was false news reported by CNN,” Trump stated. The Lincoln's departure comes amid growing scrutiny of the Navy's operational practices and the well-being of its personnel. Family members of the crew had previously raised alarms about their loved ones' conditions, citing reports of exhaustion and stress. These concerns were compounded by rumors of suicide attempts, though these claims remain unverified. The Navy has not officially commented on the specific allegations, focusing instead on confirming the ship's withdrawal from the region. The Lincoln's extended deployment highlighted the strain placed on military assets operating in volatile regions. Its replacement, the George Washington, is now positioned to take up the mantle of ensuring continued U.S. presence in the Middle East. The transition underscores the ongoing strategic importance of maintaining a naval footprint in the area despite the logistical and human costs associated with such deployments. The Lincoln's return journey will see its crew endure a lengthy voyage back to the United States, marking the end of one of the longest deployments in recent history. As the ship moves westward, the focus shifts to the incoming vessel and how it will manage the demands of the region. The Lincoln's exit leaves behind a legacy of endurance and controversy, reflecting the complex realities of modern naval operations.