US aircraft carrier expected to relieve USS Lincoln in Middle East

A United States aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington, has begun to depart the western Pacific Ocean, leaving its port in Da Nang, Vietnam, for an anticipated deployment to the Middle East.The ship is expected to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is currently participating in the US-Israeli war against Iran.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Why is Iran bombing Gulf states while avoiding US naval assets and Israel?list 2 of 3Reports of US sailors in Middle East trying to jump ship spark outcrylist 3 of 3US threatens ‘indefinite’ blockade against Iran: How long can it last?end of listThe vessel’s movement on Saturday comes amid mounting concerns about the conditions on board the USS Lincoln, sparked by reports of sailors attempting to jump overboard.The USS Lincoln has been deployed without a port stop for more than 266 days, a record duration for the Navy. It houses about 5,000 sailors and Marines.In the wake of reports about supply shortages and mental health strain on the ship, US President Donald Trump and acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao indicated that the vessel would be rotated. The Pentagon has not confirmed, however, that the USS Lincoln will be r...