‘승조원 투신 시도·처우 논란’ 미 항공모함, 중동 배치 9달 만에 교대

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington arrived in the Middle East, marking a nine-month deployment. This lengthy sea journey sets a new record for the longest continuous non-stop mission by a US carrier. The Abraham Lincoln carrier, which had been stationed in the region for nearly the same duration, returned to American soil after completing its mission.

The US Central Command announced on social media platform X that the George Washington air strike group had arrived at the Central Command's operational area in the Middle East the previous day. They also shared a photo of the George Washington's crew working onboard. The deployment in the Middle East follows the Abraham Lincoln carrier's nine-month mission, during which it had only a brief landing stop in Guam and a total of 272 days at sea, according to sources.

Reports suggest that the nearly 6,000 airmen onboard may have lacked proper rest during this period, raising concerns about their morale and mental health. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the US Navy for inadequate basic supplies, contaminated drinking water, pipe issues, and deteriorating mental health among airmen. However, the US Central Command's Colonel Brad Cooper downplayed many of these issues as "old news."

With the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln in California, the Pacific region will be without American aircraft carriers, raising concerns about the reliability of US-India-Pacific security strategy following the recent decision by former US President Donald Trump to shorten the joint training exercises.