"The George Washington Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Middle East as part of a planned deployment, following its arrival in our area of operations," U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the agency responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, announced on 20/8.

Images released on the same day showed sailors working on the deck of the USS George Washington as the warship moved through the Arabian Sea. The deployment of the USS George Washington to the Middle East means the U.S. currently has no aircraft carriers present in the Pacific Ocean.

According to CNN, the warship will replace the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington in the Arabian Sea on 20/8. Photo: CENTCOM

President Donald Trump stated on 14/8 that the Lincoln would soon be replaced by "another very similar ship." Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao later declared that the USS Abraham Lincoln had "completed its mission and will soon return home as part of a force rotation plan."

However, USNI News, citing Navy officials on 20/8, reported that it "cannot be disclosed" when the USS Abraham Lincoln and its escort ships would depart for home. The news outlet estimated that the USS Abraham Lincoln would take at least one month to reach the U.S. West Coast.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is returning home after becoming the center of a political storm concerning crew mental health worries during its extended deployment.

The aircraft carrier Lincoln departed its homeport of San Diego in 11/2025 for duties in the Pacific, before rerouting to the Middle East. There, it played a key role in a large-scale offensive against Iran and subsequent efforts to impose a naval blockade.

Location of the Arabian Sea. Graphic: Guardian

The deployment was expected to end in May but was extended. According to Democratic lawmakers, the USS Abraham Lincoln did not dock for over 200 days, setting a record for continuous sea operations since World War II. Some sources described a significant deterioration in living conditions on board, including mold in bathrooms and spoiled food.

CNN reported that two sailors from the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group jumped overboard in recent months and were both rescued. Several other sailors also attempted to leave the ship, according to Navy Times and Stars and Stripes.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that information about the ship's conditions had been "completely distorted." President Trump also dismissed concerns about the USS Abraham Lincoln's prolonged deployment, saying the ship had not operated "long enough." The U.S. Navy reported no increase in "suicidal ideation or attempts on board."

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington operating in the Atlantic Ocean in 2023. Photo: US Navy

Pham Giang (According to CNN, AFP, USNI News)