Sailors on USS Lincoln outside Iran are exhausted and suffering from poor morale

The USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed to the Middle East since January with over 5,000 crew members, is facing severe morale problems due to food shortages, inadequate supplies, exhausting work schedules with minimal days off, and deteriorating living conditions including broken toilets and moldy showers. Family members and Navy veterans warn that the prolonged deployment—initially promised to last 4-5 weeks—poses safety risks in an already dangerous workplace and could lead to mental health crises. While Navy officials deny reports of food shortages and assert the ship remains operational, concerned relatives and a California congresswoman have expressed deep worry about crew exhaustion and well-being.