Washington, Aug. 21 -- The USS Abraham Lincoln has begun its return voyage following an extended deployment exceeding nine months in the Middle East during the Iran conflict, amidst growing anxiety over crew exhaustion, mental well-being, and reported food shortages, according to a US official cited by CBS News on Thursday.

Relieving the San Diego-based vessel is the Japan-based USS George Washington, which has arrived in the region to assume operational duties, bringing an end to an extraordinarily long assignment for the aircraft carrier and its approximately 5,000-strong crew.

Having departed San Diego on November 21, 2025, the vessel was later redirected to the Middle East after hostilities with Iran erupted in February. Functioning...