[International] Lincoln Carrier Sailors Mentally and Physically Affected After Nearly 9 Months at Sea; Trump Says It's Not Long Enough
RtiTalk 小編10d ago
U.S. President Donald Trump on the 14th downplayed the suffering of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln after nearly nine months at sea. Growing concerns have emerged regarding mental health and supply issues on the carrier, which supports U.S. military operations against Iran.
Speaking to reporters before departing for New York on the 14th, Trump dismissed concerns from families of the crew about the extended deployment, even stating that this deployment was "far from long enough." The Lincoln has set a new record for continuous time at sea, exceeding 240 days.
When asked about the Lincoln's prolonged deployment, Trump said, "This ship will leave now or very soon and be replaced by a very similar ship." Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao posted on social media on the 14th that the Lincoln would "be home soon."
Trump had vowed to avoid long and costly military quagmires. However, after launching military action against Iran in conjunction with Israel, Trump and his advisors claimed the conflict would only last a few weeks. Now, the conflict has been ongoing for over five months.
But on the 14th, while delivering a speech on crime in New York, Trump admitted that he had used the U.S. military "a little more than I expected," while also reiterating that military operations against Iran were progressing smoothly. He even joked, "I will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory."
Regarding the war and its impact on oil prices, Trump added, "I will absolutely not apologize. I am doing the right thing."
The prolonged deployment of aircraft carriers during the Iran conflict has raised concerns about the impact on soldiers long away from home, as well as the increasing strain on ships and equipment.
Several Democratic members of Congress are demanding an explanation from the Pentagon regarding the situation on the Lincoln. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated on the 13th that the situation had been "completely distorted."
Although tensions between the U.S. and Iran have eased in recent weeks, the U.S. Navy continues to blockade key Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, and the Trump administration has yet to provide a clear answer on how the war will end. Hegseth stated that the U.S. military can maintain the blockade of Iranian ports "indefinitely."
The USS George Washington left Da Nang, Vietnam, last week and is expected to replace the Lincoln. The Lincoln is one of two carriers currently deployed in the Middle East.
Following reports that sailors on the Lincoln were facing mental health issues, the U.S. Navy stated that it had not observed an increase in suicidal thoughts or attempts on board. However, citing operational security and patient privacy, officials declined to provide specific data.
A naval official revealed that in early August, a sailor from the Lincoln fell overboard but was quickly rescued and received initial treatment from the ship's medical department before being transferred off the ship for further care. The official did not specify whether this incident was related to a suicide attempt.
The U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, also disputed reports of poor living conditions on board. (Editor: Chen Wen-wei)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=226382
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