The USS Abraham Lincoln is leaving the Middle East after a roughly nine-month deployment, ending an unusually extended mission that drew significant scrutiny over crew welfare and operating conditions.

A U.S. official confirmed the departure on Thursday, with CBS News reporting that the sailors and Marines are now heading back home. The carrier is expected to arrive at its home port in San Diego in about three weeks.

Replacement Carrier Arrives

The USS George Washington, a U.S. aircraft carrier based in Japan, has reached the Middle East to fill the void left by the USS Lincoln. This move concludes the relief operation that had been anticipated as the Lincoln’s deployment stretched beyond initial expectations.

Scrutiny Over Extended Service

The USS Abraham Lincoln’s deployment faced intense examination due to its duration and reported conditions. The carrier and its roughly 5,000 crew members departed San Diego on Nov. 21. The war with Iran extended their deployment and increased their workload, with the carrier supporting thousands of aircraft sorties during strikes.

U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper defended the crew’s resilience, stating that the carrier had “among the lowest” number of mental health cases across the Navy’s 11 active aircraft carriers. He previously visited the ship and praised the camaraderie and teamwork of the crew.

President Donald Trump also dismissed reports of deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln as “fake.” He asserted that the carrier was “beautifully maintained and beautifully taken care of,” despite the extended time at sea.

Lawmakers Raise Alarm

Concerns raised by families and reported by Military Times and Stars and Stripes prompted action in Congress over sailors’ mental health. House Democrats voiced concerns regarding mental health, food supplies, and safety, urging Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao to address conditions aboard the ship.

Lawmakers noted that the aircraft carrier’s deployment was repeatedly extended, keeping it at sea for more than eight months with just two reported port calls. They described more than 200 consecutive days without a port call as a modern-day record for a U.S. Navy carrier.

The Navy stated it has not observed an increase in reported suicide attempts or suicidal ideation while investigating an Aug. 3 incident in which a sailor fell overboard and was rescued.