WASHINGTON, D.C. — US Senators Patty Murray and Christopher A. Coons sent a letter to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao demanding an independent strategic review of conditions aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, USS Abraham Lincoln, and USS Benfold. The senators granted Hegseth and Cao until September 1, 2026, to provide answers and open the inquiry.

The letter cited the Department of Defense's "inability, or refusal, to provide the congressional defense committees with full and accurate information" as justification for the requested review. Murray and Coons requested that senior civilian executives and former military officers lead the investigation and provide recommendations to improve future extended deployments.

Reports indicated deteriorating living conditions, worsening mental health, supply shortages, long mess hall lines, and disrupted mail service aboard the warships. "After working long shifts on duty during combat operations, our sailors and Marines should not have to worry about basic day-to-day functions, whether they’ll have a full meal or be able to communicate with their family members," Murray and Coons wrote.

Murray and Coons stated the US Navy was "inadequately prepared for predictable risks" in the conflict, including relief carrier availability and supply chain disruptions. "We are also concerned about the future unbudgeted maintenance costs for the Ford and Lincoln and the length of time required to complete these repairs, which have not yet been outlined to Congress despite our requests."

The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is 1,106 feet (337 metres) long and has a flight-deck beam of around 256 feet (78 metres). The ship was deployed to the Middle East in February 2026, approximately eight months into its deployment, and conducted combat missions against Venezuela and Iran during that period.

According to a report from Navy Times, the USS Gerald R. Ford had a 326-day deployment, which was the longest post-Vietnam deployment. The same report noted the carrier returned to Norfolk, Virginia, on May 16.

The senators requested information on contingency plans for the USS George H.W. Bush, USS George Washington, and other ships deployed to the region. Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated on August 14, 2026, that sailors on the Lincoln had been "pushed to their limits — but they have never broken."

Why It Matters

The demand for an independent review shows concerns over the operational readiness and welfare of personnel on major naval assets during extended deployments. The cited issues, including supply chain disruptions and unbudgeted maintenance costs, point to systemic challenges in sustaining prolonged combat operations without adequate logistical support or transparent communication with congressional oversight bodies.

The specific focus on the USS Gerald R. Ford, USS Abraham Lincoln, and USS Benfold reflects a pattern of incidents affecting different classes of vessels, from aircraft carriers to destroyers. The September 1, 2026 deadline establishes a concrete timeframe for the Department of Defense and Navy leadership to address these allegations and provide the requested data on future contingency planning.

Timeline

In December 2025, the USS Abraham Lincoln made a stopover in Guam. In February 2026, the USS Gerald R. Ford was deployed to the Middle East, approximately eight months into its deployment, and conducted combat missions against Venezuela and Iran during its recent deployment. In March 2026, a fire broke out in the laundry department of the USS Gerald R. Ford, took approximately 30 hours to extinguish, and injured two service members.

Also in March 2026, the USS Gerald R. Ford fire resulted in approximately 600 sailors losing access to their bunks. In May 2026, the USS Gerald R. Ford docked in Crete for repairs and returned to the US after more than 300 days at sea. In July 2026, the USS Benfold, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, experienced a power loss lasting several days while deployed in the South China Sea. Also in July 2026, the power loss on the USS Benfold affected the ship's plumbing, meals, and air conditioning.

What's New

The letter from Senators Patty Murray and Chris Coons to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao set a deadline of September 1, 2026, for the Department of Defense and Navy leadership to respond. The same source reported that the USS Gerald R. Ford returned to Norfolk, Virginia, on May 16 after this deployment.

Further details show the USS Gerald R. Ford conducted combat missions against Venezuela and Iran during its recent deployment. Reports also state the USS Gerald R. Ford fire resulted in approximately 600 sailors losing access to their bunks. Technical specifications note the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is 1,106 feet (337 metres) long and has a flight-deck beam of around 256 feet (78 metres). Records also confirm the USS Abraham Lincoln made a stopover in Guam in December 2025.

How Sources Differ

Regarding the fire on the USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy incident report states that a fire broke out in the laundry department in March 2026, took approximately 30 hours to extinguish, and injured two service members.