- The aircraft carrier has been at sea for hundreds of consecutive days, a historic tally, and families have relayed worries to Navy brass about a lack of proper provisions and the psychological breakdown suffered by a few sailors.
- Two-hundred people attended an event demanding answers from acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao on the Lincoln's conditions, and a few relatives have since shared their concerns directly with the press.
- Danielle Rappa, a parent of a sailor, told NBC News that her son's mental health deteriorated as the deployment extended: "At first he was in good spirits... but once it started going past the, what they anticipated to be their return date, I could definitely see a change in his overall mental health, and where he had been very positive, it started getting very dark."
- A sailor described the experience as "a scene out of the American Horror Story, where he feels like everybody is dead but they don't know it yet," and at least one sailor has tried to jump overboard, according to multiple reports.
- Senator Ruben Gallego, a former Marine, demanded a bipartisan congressional inspection of the carrier on Thursday, calling reports about the deteriorating situation disturbing, and criticized the administration's planning: "This is why you have to properly plan for war... This president and this secretary of defense did not do this, and this is why they're basically flying by the seat of their pants."
- Trump denies families are worried as relatives speak out.
President Trump has denied claims from families of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln regarding deteriorating conditions, despite reports of psychological distress among crew members. The ship has been deployed for over hundreds of consecutive days, raising concerns about mental health and provisions.1
Families have expressed their worries to Navy officials, with one parent, Danielle Rappa, noting a significant change in her son's mental health as the anticipated return date passed. "At first he was in good spirits... but it started getting very dark," she said.
One sailor described the situation as resembling a scene from 'American Horror Story', feeling as if everyone aboard is dead but unaware. Reports indicate that at least one sailor has attempted to jump overboard due to the distressing conditions.
In response to the situation, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao faced demands for a bipartisan congressional inspection of the carrier, with concerns about the lack of proper planning for the extended deployment. Rep. Ruben Gallego criticized the administration, stating, "This is why you have to properly plan for war... this president and this secretary of defense did not do this."2678
The USS George Washington is set to replace the Lincoln, but the timeline for its arrival remains unclear.
“Senator Ruben Gallego, a former Marine, demanded a bipartisan congressional inspection Thursday, calling reports 'disturbing' and criticizing the administration's planning. The USS George Washington, which left Vietnam last week, is reportedly heading to the Middle East to replace the Lincoln, though arrival timing remains unclear.”
KATU
