Konstantin Toropin

The USS George Washington has begun sailing from the Pacific toward the Middle East, apparently to replace or reinforce the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln has spent more than 240 consecutive days at sea supporting military operations related to the Iran war, prompting reports of food shortages, supply problems and mental-health concerns among its crew. The Navy says conditions have improved and disputes some reports, while Democratic lawmakers are seeking investigations and more transparency into the carrier's deployment and crew welfare.

An F-35B Marine Corps fighter crashed Friday afternoon near Miramar Air Base in San Diego, California. The pilot ejected, was recovered, and was taken to a medical facility. The Marines classified the incident as a Class A mishap, the most severe category, which includes aircraft destruction or damage exceeding $2 million. The cause and the pilot’s condition were not disclosed.