[Discussion] USS George Washington to Replace Abraham Lincoln in Middle East

George Washington to Relieve Lincoln

The U.S. Navy plans to send the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington to the Middle East to replace USS Abraham Lincoln after its extended deployment, according to a WSJ report. The move is described as a scheduled rotation, with George Washington reportedly set to deploy to the region in August 2026.

George Washington has been operating in the South China Sea and is forward-deployed at Yokosuka, Japan. A specific arrival date in the Middle East has not been announced.

Lincoln’s Extended Deployment

Abraham Lincoln left San Diego in November and has remained at sea for nearly nine months, or more than 250 days. It has spent most of that period in the Middle East supporting U.S. military operations against Iran, including combat operations, and has not made a port call since December.

Family members of crew members have raised concerns about the effects of the prolonged operational tempo, limited opportunities for rest, and reported quality-of-life problems aboard the ship.

Morale and Mental Health Concerns

Relatives have reported food shortages, deteriorating morale and growing concern about the crew’s mental health. Families also told Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao that the strain could increase the risk of sailors harming themselves.

Military Times and Stars and Stripes have reported incidents in which sailors attempted to jump overboard during the deployment. Separate reporting in April raised questions about the quality and quantity of food aboard Abraham Lincoln and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, which was also deployed to the Middle East at the time.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle denied the food reporting. Defense officials have also disputed accounts describing worsening morale and mental health aboard Lincoln.

Navy and Central Command Response

Navy officials said they have “not identified an increase in reported suicidal ideation or suicide attempts” aboard Abraham Lincoln. U.S. Central Command said no service members aboard the carrier had died and that a sailor who fell overboard on Aug. 3 was quickly recovered.

Central Command also cited an 84.4% crew reenlistment rate, describing it as among the highest for U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. The command’s statement did not alter the planned rotation or provide a timeline for Lincoln’s return.

George Washington’s Capabilities

USS George Washington, CVN-73, is the sixth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and the fourth U.S. Navy ship named for the first U.S. president. Commissioned on July 4, 1992, it is 1,092 feet long, can exceed 30 knots, and can carry approximately 90 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

The carrier is powered by two Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors and has a crew capacity of roughly 6,000 when its air wing is embarked. Its defensive systems include Sea Sparrow missiles, Rolling Airframe Missiles, and Phalanx close-in weapon systems.

George Washington became the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier forward-deployed to Yokosuka in 2008. It entered a Refueling and Complex Overhaul in August 2017 and was returned to the Navy in May 2023. After replacing USS Ronald Reagan in Japan, it arrived at its current Yokosuka home port in November 2024.

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