New US carrier arrives in Middle East to relieve long-deployed ship

The US military announced on Thursday the arrival of a new aircraft carrier strike group in the Middle East, replacing a carrier that has been deployed since November 2025. This development comes just days after reports highlighted concerning conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which had led to criticism of President Donald Trump's war against Iran.

The George Washington Carrier Strike Group, currently operating in the Middle East as part of a scheduled deployment, arrived in the CENTCOM theatre on Wednesday. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US forces in the region, confirmed the update on X. The situation aboard the Abraham Lincoln has drawn fresh criticism, as media outlets, including military publications, reported deteriorating living conditions, including food shortages and broken plumbing.

Reports also indicated several suicide attempts by crew members. Despite these concerns, Trump initially dismissed the issues but later confirmed that another carrier would replace the Lincoln in the Middle East.

The George Washington, based in Japan, had been stationed in the Pacific before being rerouted to the Middle East. This transfer means there will no longer be a US aircraft carrier in the region, potentially favoring China's assertive presence. The Abraham Lincoln had departed California in November 2025 for duties in the South China Sea and was redirected to the Middle East prior to escalating US-Israeli attacks on Iran beginning in late February.