The USS George Washington arrived in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday for a scheduled deployment, US Central Command announced Thursday, replacing the USS Abraham Lincoln as the carrier's crew heads home after a record-breaking tour.
The Lincoln, carrying approximately 5,000 sailors and Marines, departed San Diego last November and has spent more than 250 days at sea, setting a US naval record for the longest deployment without a port stop. Conditions aboard deteriorated during the extended mission supporting US operations against Iran, drawing criticism and prompting a visit from CENTCOM commander Adm Brad Cooper. One sailor jumped overboard in what the Navy called a mental health episode.
The carrier rotation comes as a ceasefire memorandum expired Monday and President Donald Trump announced Thursday a "crushing economic operation" against Iran. The US and Israel launched their war with Iran on February 28. About 20 US ships remain deployed in the Persian Gulf region.