US Admiral Brad Cooper visited the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln following reports of mental health and logistical issues, describing the crew as "amazing."
The commander of US Central Command said in a statement posted on social media platform X: "Among the 11 active aircraft carriers in the US Navy, Lincoln currently has one of the lowest rates of mental health-related cases."
He added: "That doesn't mean everything is perfect... serving at sea for extended periods isn't for everyone. It's especially difficult and challenging, and each of us, including me, reacts to stress differently."
Admiral Cooper's visit comes amid reports that the crew has endured an unusually long stretch at sea without port calls—more than 250 days. The ship is a key part of the US campaign against Iran, and lawmakers in Congress have expressed concern about the mental and physical health of the approximately 5,000 crew members, some of whom are said to have attempted to jump overboard.
The US is deploying another carrier, USS George Washington, from near Japan to replace the USS Lincoln. When asked by reporters on Friday whether the USS Lincoln had been deployed for too long, President Donald Trump replied: "No, not long enough."
