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USS Abraham Lincoln to return home after 266-day deployment

Published : Sunday, 16 August, 2026 at 7:40 PM

Observer Online Report

The US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is set to return home after a 266-day deployment, including more than 200 days in a combat zone, amid growing scrutiny over conditions faced by its crew.

Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced that the carrier, carrying roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines, will return to the United States as part of a planned rotation.

"The Lincoln was extended because the mission demanded it," Cao said, emphasizing that crew safety remains a top priority.

The announcement follows reports of deteriorating living conditions aboard the vessel, including intermittent food shortages, limited hygiene supplies, plumbing issues, and a lack of regular port calls over the past seven months.

Concerns were also raised regarding low morale and mental health challenges among crew members during the prolonged mission in West Asia.

Navy officials pushed back against claims of a mental health crisis, maintaining that safety protocols were followed and medical support remained available throughout the operation.

During the deployment, the carrier strike group conducted over 10,000 sorties and dropped around 1.5 million pounds of ordnance.

The USS George Washington has been deployed to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in the region.

-SA

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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