Military Moves Final Pacific Aircraft Carrier to Support Operation Epic Fury Near Iran

The USS George Washington is being redeployed from the western Pacific to take over for the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East, widening concerns about a temporary carrier gap while the US ramps up operations tied to Iran. The Lincoln has stayed on station beyond its planned May return, and the extended deployment has raised issues including crew mental health concerns and supply pressures. Analysts say open-ended Iran missions are straining American sailors and reflect a shift in attention away from the Asia-Pacific. China could exploit any vacuum to project power, strengthen its narrative to regional partners, and shape perceptions, amid its recent drills involving Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia.