The USS Abraham Lincoln has exceeded 250 days at sea off the coast of Iran, setting a modern US Navy record for continuous deployment with only one port call since late 2025.
Families of sailors say the crew is enduring food shortages, with meals reduced to half a bowl of rice and two tortillas, alongside a lack of basic supplies such as soap, toothpaste, and deodorant. Crew members have described meals of boiled carrots and dried-out meat, and similar complaints have emerged from the nearby USS Tripoli. One sailor reportedly attempted to jump overboard before being stopped by a shipmate.
Representative Sara Jacobs expressed deep concern over crew fatigue and mental health. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth previously dismissed the food shortage reports as "fake news" in April. The Fifth Fleet has confirmed the extended deployment.