Washington, Aug. 13 -- US Senator Richard Blumenthal has raised concerns over the prolonged deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, warning that the extended operational tempo could affect sailors' well-being, fleet readiness and the US Navy's ability to respond to future contingencies.
In a letter dated August 12 to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, Blumenthal said the USS Abraham Lincoln had been deployed for more than 250 days as of August 12, despite initially being scheduled for a seven-month deployment. The carrier has also gone more than 200 days without a port call, which he said set a record for consecutive days at sea.
Blumenthal said reports had highlighted shortages of...