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ConflictAdm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, visited the USS Abraham Lincoln on Saturday as part of a 10-day regional tour, amid mounting reports of poor living conditions and low morale among the crew. Families of sailors and Marines have reported food shortages, water issues, broken showers and laundry, and strained mental health after nine months at sea. Both Military Times and Stars and Stripes reported cases of sailors attempting to jump overboard. The carrier, originally deployed to the Pacific, was redirected to the Middle East and has been involved in combat operations against Iran since late February, enforcing the Strait of Hormuz blockade. The visit came a day after the Navy confirmed the Lincoln would return home soon, to be replaced by the USS George Washington. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao acknowledged 'a small number of mental health cases' but called some media reports 'dishonest.' The Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also pushed back, saying conditions were 'completely misrepresented.' The Navy is sending additional resiliency counselors and social workers to the ship. Cooper addressed the crew, thanked them, and presented awards.
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