US aircraft carrier on way to relieve USS Lincoln after issues reported on board

The US aircraft carrier USS George Washington is en route to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has reportedly experienced food shortages, poor sanitation, and mental health issues among its crew on an extended nine-month deployment. The USS George Washington, currently stationed near Malaysia, is expected to arrive in the region within nine days, according to BBC analysis.

Family members of sailors on the Lincoln have raised concerns about their relatives' deteriorating mental health and even reported attempted suicides over the conditions aboard the vessel. Despite acknowledging supply challenges, the US Navy has dismissed claims of a mental health crisis and denied that the prolonged deployment has caused undue stress.

President Donald Trump has also downplayed family members' concerns and stated that the deployment was not overly long. The USS George Washington, along with the USS George HW Bush, will be the third aircraft carrier in the Middle East, following the Lincoln's nine-month deployment that began in December.