USS George Washington heads to Middle East from Asia

The United States is preparing to send the USS George Washington from the Pacific to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, as concerns grow over the strain on sailors aboard the long-deployed aircraft carrier, according to The Associated Press. 

The George Washington, which is based in Japan, has been operating in the Pacific in recent weeks. It transited the Strait of Malacca alongside guided-missile destroyers this week, according to open-source information cited by The Wall Street Journal.

The deployment would leave the US Navy temporarily without an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, although analysts expect another carrier could be sent to the region within the next few months.

The move highlights the growing strain created by the United States' open-ended military operations involving Iran. The Lincoln has remained at sea far longer than originally planned, with its deployment extended after its scheduled return in May was postponed to support US operations against Iran.

The Lincoln began its current deployment in November and was redirected to the Middle East in January ahead of the US war with Iran. Its carrier-based aircraft played a major role in Operation Epic Fury, the US bombing campaign against Iran, and the ship has since taken part in the US blockade of Iranian ports.

The carrier has now been deployed for more than 250 days and has not made a port call in 200 days, according to Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. He said the ship had set a record for consecutive days at sea and raised concerns about the impact of the extended deployment on sailors.

Blumenthal has urged Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao to address the situation, citing concerns over the mental health and supply needs of the crew.

By Sabina Mammadli