The US Navy is replacing the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln after a deployment of more than eight months in the Middle East, according to France 24. The move follows multiple reports of deteriorating conditions for the crew on board.
French media outlets, including Le Monde, Le Figaro, and franceinfo, have detailed serious problems during the extended mission. Reports describe water shortages, unusable toilets, and the presence of mold on the ship. Le Figaro and Paris Match also reported concerns about the mental health of the sailors, with accounts of suicide attempts and crew members trying to jump overboard.
The reports do not specify a date for the relief carrier to arrive, nor do they state the exact number of sailors affected. The accounts from the French press paint a picture of a crew under significant strain during a lengthy deployment in a volatile region. The conditions on board have become a subject of public controversy, according to franceinfo.
The decision to replace the Lincoln comes after the vessel spent over eight months at sea, a period that has raised questions about the sustainability of such long deployments for the crew. The reports indicate that the living conditions have become a major point of concern for the Navy.
The situation on the USS Abraham Lincoln highlights the human cost of extended naval operations. The next step will be the arrival of the replacement carrier and the Lincoln’s return to port, which will allow for a full assessment of the ship and the well-being of its crew.
