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US troops in the Middle East, beyond USS Abraham Lincoln, report shortages of food, water, supplies, broken plumbing, and exhausting schedules.
The USS George Washington arrives at the port in Danang. (AFP photo)
Concerns over the wellbeing of US troops deployed in the Middle East have widened beyond the USS Abraham Lincoln, with military families and service members describing alleged shortages of food, water and basic supplies, broken plumbing, exhausting schedules and months without port calls.
The latest revelations were reported by MeidasTouch on Friday, which said it had received messages from families and active-duty personnel across multiple ships and branches. The accounts have not been independently verified.
Families Describe Dire Conditions
One active-duty service member deployed alongside the Lincoln told MeidasTouch that reports about the carrier were not exaggerated and said conditions on their own ship were also deteriorating.
“We have it bad as well, but not quite as bad as them yet,” the service member said, adding that they had not seen land during their deployment because of the Iran conflict.
A parent whose son spent 11 months aboard the Lincoln alleged that the ship’s water system failed early in the deployment, preventing sailors from showering or washing clothes. Later, showers were rationed, supplies ran short and toilets reportedly backed up and overflowed.
‘Human Waste Covered Bathroom Floors’
The parent also claimed around six inches of human waste covered the floors of the restrooms, which were used by roughly 200 sailors at any given time.
“Before he left the ship, the toilets were backed up. And overflowing, there was about a half a foot of human waste throughout the floor in the restrooms, with two hundred sailors, and at any given time using those restrooms,” the parent message claimed.
The most striking account came from a family member connected to the USS George H.W. Bush, who said the carrier had been at sea for 136 days.
“They have virtually no food, water, or soap. They’ve been out at sea for 136 days with no end in sight. Morale is low and everyone is miserable. It’s heartbreaking,” the message alleged.
Another family member described severe mental-health concerns involving a US service member deployed in Kuwait.
“My son is in Kuwait, and he is in extreme poor health. His entire mental has been destroyed, and all he wants to do is come home to his room and his dogs. Please help him. He says he’s tired, hungry, and scared,” the message read.
USS Lincoln Under Growing Scrutiny
The latest claims follow earlier reports by Navy Times and Stars and Stripes about deteriorating morale and alleged suicide attempts aboard the 5,000-member Lincoln, which has been on an unusually long deployment.
The carrier left San Diego in November 2025 and was later diverted to the Middle East amid the war with Iran. The US Navy has acknowledged supply challenges but rejected claims of a wider mental-health crisis.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday called reports of poor conditions aboard the Lincoln “completely misrepresented”, saying the military provides ships and crews with everything it can.
The controversy has also drawn scrutiny from lawmakers, including Senator Richard Blumenthal, who cited reported shortages, water and plumbing problems, deteriorating mental health and disrupted mail.
The USS George Washington is expected to replace the Lincoln in the region, according to officials.
(With inputs from agencies)
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that reports of poor conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln were “completely misrepresented” and that the military provides ships and crews with everything it can. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao has also informed families that the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group is being prepared to relieve the Abraham Lincoln, though no timeline has been provided.
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August 15, 2026, 12:21 AM IST
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