Chris Quintana reports on the USS Abraham Lincoln's long deployment and the challenges faced by sailors and their families
The USS Abraham Lincoln is preparing to dock in Thailand next week for rest and recreation following an extraordinarily long deployment in the Middle East. The carrier has spent over 200 days at sea without a port visit, setting a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea. USA TODAY investigative reporter Chris Quintana reported that families of the sailors have expressed frustration over missed milestones, such as weddings and graduations, and reported deteriorating conditions on board, including poor food and a lack of hot water. While the administration announced that the deployment was extended, the Navy has been somewhat tight-lipped about the specific reasons for the conditions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that reports of declining morale and deteriorating conditions completely misrepresented the reality on board. However, families of the sailors remain concerned about the mental health of the crew. The ship is expected to remain at sea for another four to five weeks before returning to its home port of San Diego.