CENTCOM Chief Adm. Cooper Visits USS Abraham Lincoln Amid Reports of Poor Morale, Overboard Attempts

US Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper spent several hours aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln on Aug 15 — the only ship he visited during a 10-day regional tour — after families of the carrier's roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines reported food shortages, broken showers and laundry, and other deteriorating conditions during a deployment that has exceeded 250 days without a port call. Military Times and Stars and Stripes had reported sailors attempting to jump overboard. Cooper called the crew 'tired, but they continue to fire on all cylinders,' said the visit was 'awe-inspiring,' and noted the Lincoln has among the lowest mental-health incident rates of the Navy's 11 active carriers, while acknowledging 'service at sea for long periods isn't for everyone.' He said relief was on the way as sister carrier USS George Washington heads to the Indian Ocean.