Democrats call for USS Lincoln probe, question US Navy’s readiness

Lawmakers in the United States have urged for further investigation into the conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, suggesting that recent reports may indicate a troubling pattern. In at least three separate appeals, Democrats called for more information about the Navy's preparations for the carrier's record-breaking deployment.

The USS Lincoln, which has been involved in military operations against Venezuela and Iran since its departure from San Diego in November, has not docked for a port call in that time. Having spent over 260 days at sea, the ship has broken the US Navy's record for the longest deployment without a stop. However, reports have emerged about crew members attempting to jump overboard due to shortages of food and other supplies.

US Representative Pat Ryan, in a letter sent to acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, highlighted that the lengthy deployments "have become a pattern in the Administration's handling of its war against Iran." Ryan also questioned whether US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, was taking appropriate steps to mitigate the challenges faced by the fleet.

In a separate letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a group of Democratic senators demanded accountability, stating that open-ended deployments driven by an open-ended war have real consequences for servicemembers.