Families of sailors and Marines aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln are expressing urgent concerns about dangerous conditions on the aircraft carrier after nine months at sea and five consecutive months in combat operations.
The 5,000-member crew faces moldy showers, food shortages, and severe lack of basic supplies, including toothpaste and soap, according to MS NOW.
Most alarming is crew exhaustion from excruciatingly long shifts with minimal days off, a situation military experts warn could cause deadly mistakes on the dangerous flight deck.
“The morale is not good," said Bonnie York, whose stepson is on the Lincoln.
"Apparently, the ship’s doctor or therapist said they need to hit port soon or people are going to start, you know, losing their minds."
The carrier spent 208 consecutive days at sea, a modern Navy record, with only two port stops since departing San Diego in November.
Family members report non-operational toilets, broken laundry facilities, no hot water, and inedible meals. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed these reports as "fake news," but families insist conditions are legitimate and ongoing.
Nicole Conrad, whose son is serving on the Lincoln, said he has described days when showers were locked and described a meal consisting of only half a cup of rice and two tortillas, MS NOW reported.
Military experts worry exhaustion and deterioration could compromise safety and sailor retention.
Watch the video below.
This browser does not support the video element.