USS George Washington strike group has arrived in the Middle East relieving USS Abraham Lincoln

A new US Navy carrier strike group has arrived in the Middle East, CENTCOM confirmed Thursday, amid mounting scrutiny of conditions aboard a carrier deployed there for more than 270 days.

The George Washington Carrier Strike Group entered the region Wednesday on what CENTCOM called a scheduled deployment. Its departure leaves the Western Pacific without an American carrier despite efforts to counter China.

It is expected to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, home to roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines. Reports this month described mental health struggles and supply problems aboard the ship, with families raising concerns and some sailors reportedly attempting to go overboard. Lawmakers have demanded answers.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the coverage reckless. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the crew crushed their deployment and would return home on a planned rotation.

The George Washington joins the USS George H.W. Bush and the USS Boxer. The US and Iran have not traded strikes in weeks, though the blockade on Iranian ports continues as talks stall.