
Admiral Brad Cooper praised the aircraft carrier's crew as 'awe-inspiring' following reports of mental health struggles and prolonged deployment.
US Admiral Brad Cooper visited the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to praise the crew amid concerns over mental health and an unusually long deployment exceeding 250 days without a port call.
AI-generated summary
The USS Abraham Lincoln has spent over 250 days at sea without a port call, part of the US military posture regarding Iran.
US Admiral Brad Cooper has visited the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier after reports of mental health and supply issues and described the crew as âawe-inspiringâ.
âOf the US Navyâs 11 active aircraft carriers, the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health,â the commander of US Central Command said in a statement shared on X.
âThis doesnât mean that all is perfectâŚservice at sea for long periods isnât for everyone. It is uniquely challenging and tough, and every single one of us, including me, reacts to stressors in different ways,â he added.
Cooperâs visit comes amid reports that the crew were suffering from the unusually long time spent at sea without a port call â more than 250 days. The ship is an integral part of the US war on Iran and lawmakers in Congress have raised concerns about the mental and physical health of the 5,000-strong crew, several of whom have reportedly attempted to jump overboard.
The US is redeploying another carrier, the USS George Washington, from near Japan, to replace the USS Lincoln. Asked by a reporter on Friday if the USS Lincoln had been deployed for too long, President Donald Trump responded: âNo, not nearly long enoughâ.
AI outlook â possibilities, not facts
USS George Washington replaces USS Lincoln
Very likely ¡ Within weeks
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