WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed in the Middle East, will be replaced.
"That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it's being replaced with another very similar ship," Trump told reporters before departing for New York for a rally.
The carrier has been deployed in the Middle East for nearly nine months.
The replacement announcement came amid growing concerns over conditions aboard the aircraft carrier, including reported shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deck safety concerns, mail disruptions and deteriorating mental health among crew members. ■