After 260 days: The drama bringing the American aircraft carrier home
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln will return to the US after more than 260 days of operations and will be replaced by the USS George Washington. Background: reports of spoiled food, mental distress, and difficult conditions on deck.
The acting Secretary of the Navy of the United States, Hong Cao, announced on Friday that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln will soon return to the United States, following a prolonged deployment of more than 260 days. The mission has recently sparked criticism and reports of particularly difficult conditions in which the crew members were forced to operate. According to Cao, the return of the aircraft carrier is part of a pre-planned rotation of forces.
"The USS Abraham Lincoln has performed its mission in an exceptional manner and will return home soon as part of a planned rotation of forces," Cao stated. "But let it be clear: the safety and security of our sailors and marines always come first. Mission accomplishment. Welfare of the force. That is how we lead."
The deployment of the aircraft carrier, which departed from San Diego in November, was extended according to the acting Secretary of the Navy because the operational mission "required it." Cao acknowledged that prolonged deployments are difficult by nature, and that combat operations make them even harder. According to him, during wartime, routine is disrupted, and sometimes even the best planning cannot prevent changes and uncertainty.
"One of the hardest things about combat, beyond the fact that we knowingly send our service members into harm's way, is that even with the best planning and communication, changes and uncertainty will always be a part of reality," wrote Cao, who has served as acting Secretary of the Navy since April. "Our success depends on how we adapt."
According to him, sailors and marines are often required to "find additional strength within themselves," and the responsibility of commanders is to take care of their people as much as possible while meeting mission requirements.
Cao's statement was published against the backdrop of a series of reports in the American media about the difficult conditions on board the Abraham Lincoln. Among other things, there were reports of supply difficulties, deterioration in the mental state of some crew members, spoiled food, and showers where mold had developed. Following the reports, Democratic lawmakers in Congress called for an investigation into the situation on the aircraft carrier, one of two operating in the US Central Command area.
Cao attacked the way things were presented in the media and claimed that media outlets are trying to portray American military personnel as "victims." According to him, such a portrayal is not only unfair but also diverts attention from the enemy and the threat it poses to the United States.
Alongside this, the acting Secretary of the Navy presented data intended to illustrate the scope of the Abraham Lincoln's operational activity. According to him, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier spent about 200 days in the combat zone, completed more than 10,000 sorties, and dropped about 1.5 million pounds of ordnance. Cao added that the retention rates among its crew members are among the highest of any American aircraft carrier.
However, he confirmed that during the deployment, a "small number" of mental health cases were treated, with no loss of life. Food menus were adjusted during periods when fresh supplies could not be obtained, but no meal was ever canceled. In addition, he admitted that the ability of crew members to call home was restricted during times when the operational threat was too high.
Reports on service conditions led other Democratic lawmakers to demand that the US Navy allow a bipartisan delegation of members of Congress to reach the aircraft carrier and examine the situation up close. The demand also came against the backdrop of reports that some crew members had attempted to jump from the aircraft carrier into the sea.
Last week, Cao, the Commander of Naval Air Forces Vice Admiral Douglas Verissimo, and the Commander of Naval Surface Forces Vice Admiral Joseph Cahill met with the families of sailors serving on the Abraham Lincoln, against the backdrop of growing concern for the morale and condition of the crew.
At the same time, the Pentagon sent the aircraft carrier USS George Washington to replace the Abraham Lincoln. The George Washington was spotted on Thursday crossing the Strait of Malacca on its way to the region. The Abraham Lincoln supported American forces during the war against Iran, and about 5,000 sailors and marines serve on its deck.
President Donald Trump rejected claims that the families of the sailors and military personnel stationed on the Abraham Lincoln are worried about the conditions on the ship. When asked about it by reporters, he replied: "No, they are not." In response to a question about whether the deployment lasted too long, Trump said: "No. Not even close to long enough."
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also claimed on Thursday that the conditions on the aircraft carrier were presented in a "completely distorted" manner. During a visit to Panama, he said that the Pentagon is doing everything in its power to ensure that every ship, crew, and commander has everything that can be provided to them at any moment.
Cao concluded that there is no doubt that the young sailors and marines were pushed "to the edge," but according to him, they did not break. "They are tired, and rightfully so, but they never left the fight," he wrote. "When you know the full picture, it is clear that our force and their families are not victims. They are the embodiment of American strength and resilience."
"When the USS Abraham Lincoln pulls into port and reaches the pier," Cao added, "stand with me with pride and a heart full of gratitude, and give our sailors and marines the heroes' welcome they deserve."
