The Pacific-based aircraft carrier USS George Washington has begun heading toward the Middle East, according to Navy statements and open source information on the ship’s movements. This development comes as reports have emerged of mental health and supply issues aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been on a long deployment to the Middle East in support of the Iran war.

Background

The USS Abraham Lincoln originally deployed on November 21 from San Diego and arrived in the region in January, ahead of the launch of the Iran war on February 28. The Navy has acknowledged that the conflict created a “highly contested environment where traditional supply hubs in the Middle East were disrupted by combat actions,” leading to shortages and loss of mail aboard the aircraft carrier.

Navy leaders have assured that sailors aboard the ship now have access to clean water and “healthy meal options.” Despite this, several Democratic lawmakers have called for investigations and greater visibility into conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Response and Relief

The USS George Washington left port in Da Nang, Vietnam, last week, and has since been spotted crossing the Singapore Strait, indicating it is on a course to head into the Indian Ocean. A Navy official confirmed that the USS George Washington was in the Strait of Malacca, which links the Pacific and Indian oceans.

The deployment of the USS George Washington is seen as a relief effort for the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea for a record-setting uninterrupted time of more than 240 days. The Navy has faced concerns about morale and the well-being of sailors on long deployments, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, which returned home in mid-May after an 11-month deployment.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.