Fourth Nimitz-class carrier; named for the 26th U.S. president
Families and lawmakers have raised alarms about living conditions and mental health aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been continuously at sea since November and has not made a port call for more than 240 days. Reports have cited food shortages, plumbing failures, water contamination and multiple attempted overboard incidents; senators have asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for answers.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has made a brief port call at Laem Chabang, Thailand, allowing about 5,000 sailors and Marines to rest after a record, months-long deployment supporting US operations against Iran. Thai authorities are managing transport, security and restrictions in Pattaya while US officials deny widespread failures in shipboard conditions.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt is preparing to depart San Diego as the Navy applies lessons from Lincoln and Ford deployments. Caudle says Roosevelt is maximizing logistics and improving quality-of-life measures amid ongoing US-Iran tensions, with a focus on self-sufficiency and better communication with families.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt has left San Diego and is headed toward the Middle East. Officials say the move could allow three carrier strike groups in the region, but no final destination has been decided yet. Bloomberg reports a broader buildup could accompany such a deployment.
The US has redeployed a dozen B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford back to US bases after British authorities foiled an alleged plot to attack the Gloucestershire airfield. UK officials have said there are "strong indications" of Iranian involvement; Tehran has denied the claim. The withdrawal will reduce the UK-based surge capability for strikes on Iran.
The US president has posted that Washington is pursuing productive discussions with Iran and will not attack Iran before the US midterm elections. The comments come as Iran tensions and carrier deployments intensify in the region, with competing narratives from Guardian, Arab News and AP about potential escalation and timelines.
Iran has strengthened its nuclear and military defenses while warning of broader retaliation if the United States resumes attacks. Satellite imagery shows reinforced facilities as regional strains escalate, with Washington preparing options for renewed strikes amid carrier deployments.
Japan and the United States are conducting Keen Sword 27, a biennial exercise involving about 45,000 Japanese troops and 12,000 American service members, plus participants from seven other nations. The drills focus on defending Japan’s southwestern islands and nearby waters amid tensions with China, North Korea, and Russia, with new missiles and systems deployed to Yonaguni and surrounding areas.