The aircraft carrier USS George Washington arrived in the Middle East on Wednesday as it prepares to assist the troubled ship USS Abraham Lincoln, the US military confirmed earlier today.
“The George Washington Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Middle East during a scheduled deployment after arriving in the CENTCOM theater yesterday,” U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) posted on Twitter.
The aircraft carrier will assist the Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea for an extended deployment due to the war in Iran, causing concern among lawmakers and families of service members after reports of the crew’s deteriorating mental health.
A sailor was taken overboard from the Abraham Lincoln earlier this month, three US officials told CNN , adding to concerns about deteriorating living conditions and mental health during the ship’s record-breaking deployment.
The George Washington carrier group headed for the Middle East after a port visit to Vietnam on August 5, a US official told CNN last week, adding that the exchange had been previously planned.