DID Press: Around 200 family members of US service personnel met with Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao in San Diego on Thursday to raise concerns over the prolonged deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East, MS NOW reported.
The families voiced concerns about the physical and mental well-being of around 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard the carrier, as well as shortages of food, contaminated water, toilet problems, safety concerns and disruptions to mail delivery.
Cao said the US Navy is preparing the USS Theodore Roosevelt for deployment to the Middle East to replace the Lincoln. However, he did not provide a specific date for the Lincoln’s return, citing security considerations.
As of Friday, the Lincoln had been deployed for 259 days, while its crew had spent 208 consecutive days at sea.
Families also expressed frustration that service members had missed important personal events during the extended deployment, including the births of their children and funerals of close relatives.