CENTCOM chief defends USS Lincoln crew amid record-long deployment concerns
Admiral Cooper calls USS Lincoln visit 'awe-inspiring' and cites low mental health cases, despite record 200+ days at sea.
The head of U.S. Central Command has pushed back against criticism of conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, praising the crew's morale and mental health after a deployment that has stretched beyond 200 days without a port call.
Admiral Brad Cooper, in a social media statement on Sunday, described his recent visit to the aircraft carrier as "awe-inspiring" and highlighted the "resilience" of the roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines on board. He noted that the Lincoln has the lowest number of mental health cases among the Navy's 11 active carriers, crediting the ship's leadership for prioritizing crew well-being.
The carrier departed its home port of San Diego in November and was later diverted to the Middle East to support U.S. operations against Iran. The extended time at sea has drawn scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers, who have relayed concerns from sailors' families about deteriorating conditions and mental health strain.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier this week that media reports on the ship's situation "completely misrepresented" the reality on board. President Donald Trump also dismissed worries about the deployment's length on Friday, stating it was "not nearly long enough."