Reports of supply shortages, plumbing failures and mental health concerns raise questions over Navy’s ability to sustain prolonged operations

WASHINGTON: A US senator has demanded answers from the Pentagon over reported deteriorating living conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has remained deployed for more than 250 days amid the Iran war.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut raised concerns in a letter to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth after reports described shortages of basic supplies, contaminated water, plumbing failures, mail disruptions and growing mental health problems among sailors.

The aircraft carrier, carrying about 5,000 personnel, departed San Diego in November for operations in the South China Sea before the US redirected it to the Middle East ahead of attacks on Iran in February.

Reports Raise Concerns Over Sailors’ Welfare

Blumenthal said the reported conditions required immediate attention and questioned whether the Navy could sustain the operational demands currently placed on its aircraft carrier fleet.

Military Times and Stars and Stripes reported that several sailors had considered suicide or attempted to jump overboard, citing family members.

Separately, CBS News reported that a sailor went overboard last month but was safely recovered. Authorities are investigating the circumstances.

The Lincoln was originally expected to complete its deployment in May. However, military planners repeatedly extended the mission, and officials have not publicly announced a return date.

Hegseth Rejects Characterisation of Conditions

Meanwhile, Hegseth rejected the reports as “completely misrepresented” while speaking to journalists in Panama on Thursday.

He said the government works to ensure every ship and crew receives necessary resources, while acknowledging that some deployments last longer and involve fewer port calls.

Nevertheless, concerns over the Lincoln have increased scrutiny of the human cost of Washington’s prolonged military operations during the Iran conflict.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the Pentagon is preparing to replace the Lincoln with the USS George Washington under a previously scheduled carrier rotation.

Such a replacement could eventually provide relief for thousands of sailors after one of the Navy’s most demanding recent deployments.