Secretary Hegseth said that reports of deteriorating conditions aboard the Lincoln were misrepresented.
The USS George Washington aircraft carrier is heading to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln as part of a scheduled rotation. The latter aircraft carrier has been deployed for over eight months with few port calls, one of the longest naval deployments in history. Some federal legislators wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao expressing concerns about the extended deployment of the Lincoln.
“Multiple media outlets have reported several false claims related to USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) deployment to the Middle East,” U.S. Central Command stated. “One report alleged seven Sailors died in a brawl aboard the aircraft carrier and others have recently suggested a spike in suicidal ideations. These reports are FALSE.”
Secretary Hegseth also responded that the circumstances had been misrepresented.
“Listen, we make sure that every ship, every crew, every captain has everything we can provide them at every single moment,” said Secretary Hegseth. “Some deployments are longer than others, and I have more respect and gratitude for those sailors than anybody. What they do in those high seas and those austere conditions with less port calls, it’s incredible.”
“I want them home as soon as everybody else,” he continued. “I want folks rotated as quickly as possible. I want the best for them. My commanders know that, our service secretaries know that, the president expects that.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Hegseth and U.S. military leaders as they address the well-being of deployed personnel.
- For Acting U.S. Naval Secretary Hung Cao and CENTCOM Commander Admiral Cooper as they assess the needs of deployed service members.
- For the mental and physical health of the sailors and crew of the USS Lincoln as they await being relieved of duty in the Middle East.
Sources: Daily Wire, Wall Street Journal, Just the News, Washington Examiner, Newsmax
