266 days deployed: USS Abraham Lincoln to return home amid rising scrutiny over sailor welfare

USS Abraham Lincoln has been at centre of controversy over its prolonged deployment affecting sailors' mental health The USS Abraham Lincoln, the US aircraft carrier that has spent months supporting American combat operations in the Middle East war against Iran, is set to return home, amid growing scrutiny over conditions faced by its roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines.Acting US navy secretary Hung Cao announced Friday (local time) that the carrier would return to the US as part of a planned rotation, saying the Lincoln's deployment had been extended because its mission demanded it. However, he downplayed the reports of the conditions and sailors.“The USS Abraham Lincoln crushed their deployment and will return home soon as part of a planned rotation,” Cao said in a statement. “Let me be clear: the safety and security of our Sailors and Marines always comes first.”The announcement comes amid reports of deteriorating conditions aboard the carrier, including intermittent food shortages, limited hygiene supplies, problems with toilets and water systems and a lack of regular port calls. Sailors and their families have also raised concerns about morale and mental health during the prolon...