USS George Washington to relieve USS Abraham Lincoln in Middle East – One America News Network

August 13, 2026 Sophia Flores US 0

ARABIAN SEA - APRIL 16: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images' editorial policy.) USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts U.S. blockade operations related to the Strait of Hormuz on April 16, 2026 in the Arabian Sea. The ship's embarked carrier air wing includes eight F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 fighter jets, EA-18G electronic attack aircraft, E-2D command and control planes, MH-60 helicopters and CMV-22B Ospreys for logistics support. (Handout Photo by the U.S. Navy via Getty Images) — This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts U.S. blockade operations related to the Strait of Hormuz on April 16, 2026 in the Arabian Sea. The ship’s embarked carrier air wing includes eight F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 fighter jets, EA-18G electronic attack aircraft, E-2D command and control planes, MH-60 helicopters and CMV-22B Ospreys for logistics support. (Handout Photo by the U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

OAN Staff Sani Unutoa
5:18 PM – Thursday, August 13, 2026

The United States is sending a fresh aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

According to reports from the Wall Street Journal and CNN, the USS George Washington is set to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed to the region since January.

The USS Abraham Lincoln, which departed its home port in November, played a major role in Operation Epic Fury and the enforcement of naval blockades on Iranian ports.

Navy officials said the switch is part of a scheduled rotation.

However, the move comes as a growing number of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln have reportedly raised concerns over prolonged deployment times and declining living conditions.

The USS George Washington has been in the South China Sea, coming off a recently completed port visit in Da Nang, Vietnam. Officials estimate that it could take up to a week to reach the Middle East.

Military officials have not yet released a date for the USS Abraham Lincoln’s return to its home port in San Diego, California.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump is grateful to the crews aboard the ships. He reiterated that the administration is doing “everything we can” to get the carriers rotated.

“I want folks rotated as quickly as possible,” he stated. “I want the best for them; my commanders know that, our service secretaries know that, the president expects that.”

“And so, to that crew and to all those crews, we’re going to do everything we can for you,” Hegseth continued. “We are so grateful for their dedication of that crew and others. They’ve held the line for the country; they’ve done a fantastic job.”

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