Overview
- The Abraham Lincoln began its transit home this week after the USS George Washington entered the Arabian Sea to relieve the carrier, allowing the Lincoln to leave the CENTCOM area of operations.
- Thai officials say the carrier strike group will make a short port call in eastern Thailand in early September for rest and recuperation and to take on supplies, with no exercises planned during the visit.
- Family members and military outlets reported degraded habitability aboard the Lincoln during the long deployment, citing limited fresh food and hygiene items, broken or clogged facilities, disrupted mail and at least one sailor rescued after going overboard.
- Pentagon and Navy leaders have defended the ship’s readiness and said many reported problems were fixed while commanders acknowledged the deployment was taxing for the crew.
- Senators Patty Murray and Chris Coons have asked the Defense Department for an independent strategic review and public hearings on extended deployments, readiness and sailor welfare, a push that could change relief-rotation planning, logistics and mental‑health policies.