Concerns Rise Over Conditions Aboard USS Lincoln
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego has raised alarms about the state of mental health and supplies on a Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Lincoln, which has been crucial in the U.S. operations against Iran. The ship has spent over 260 days in deployment, sparking calls for increased oversight from the Pentagon.
Gallego, a prominent Democrat, has communicated with a spouse of an individual stationed on the carrier. He shared with NPR that the conditions described are troubling, emphasizing the need for scrutiny from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the U.S. Navy.
“This is a gentleman who has years of experience. He’s not someone that’s wet behind the ears, who is complaining of the worst deployment he’s ever been on,” said Gallego. “Of limited food or not even and fresh food. Hard working conditions, long hours, stressful hours, an environment that is deteriorating morale.”
Despite these concerns, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth countered on Thursday that the portrayal of the conditions on the USS Lincoln is “completely misrepresented.” In a move to address the situation, the Navy plans to replace the USS Lincoln with the USS Washington.
