Military moving last aircraft carrier out of the Pacific to prioritize operations in Iran

The US Navy is preparing to move the aircraft carrier USS George Washington out of the Pacific, expected to replace USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East as concerns mount over mental health and supply issues aboard the long-deployed carrier. The article says the Lincoln’s deployment has already been extended beyond its original May return date to support operations tied to Iran. While the absence of a carrier in the Pacific could be temporary if another deployment follows in the next couple of months, analysts warn that open-ended missions around Iran are straining sailors. The shift is also framed as a wider retreat from the Asia-Pacific, where allies in the region are unsettled and China could exploit the reduced US presence through exercises and displays of force involving Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and the South China Sea.