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USS Abraham Lincoln leaving Middle East after 9-month deployment

CBS News • August 21, 2026 • nation

Key Points:

The USS Abraham Lincoln is departing the Middle East after a nine-month deployment, with its approximately 5,000 sailors and Marines heading home, confirmed by a U.S. official.
The USS George Washington, based in Japan, has arrived in the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Family members have expressed concerns about mental health, sanitary conditions, and food shortages aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, prompting attention from Capitol Hill.
Defense officials, including President Trump and Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, have downplayed the reported issues, while U.S. Central Command Adm. Brad Cooper acknowledged the challenges of deployment stress but did not confirm specific problems.
The Navy has reported no increase in suicide attempts or ideation and is investigating an August incident of a sailor falling overboard; the USS Abraham Lincoln is expected to take about three weeks to return to San Diego.

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