Relief En Route To USS Lincoln, Ukraine's Drone Barrage On Russia, Kushner Gaza Talks

**Sasha Pfeiffer** (0:02)
The head of Central Command visited the USS Lincoln and called its deployment one of the most intense in decades.

**Michel Martin** (0:08)
Another ship is on its way to relieve the Lincoln amid reports of poor living conditions on board.

**Sasha Pfeiffer** (0:13)
I'm Sasha Pfeiffer, that's Michel Martin, and this is Up First from NPR News.
Ukraine launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Russia since the war began. More than 800 drones were launched, and at least 20 people were killed as both sides exchanged fire. How are Russians feeling as the war grinds on?

**Michel Martin** (0:33)
And President Trump's Middle East negotiator and son-in-law Jared Kushner is in Israel for talks on the future of Gaza. It comes after a rare meeting with Hamas in Egypt. Israel already rejected the latest U.S.-backed peace plan. We look at where the negotiations stand. Stay with us, we'll give you news you need to start your day.

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**Michel Martin** (1:58)
The USS Washington is on its way to the Middle East to relieve the USS Lincoln.

**Sasha Pfeiffer** (2:02)
The Lincoln has been at the center of concerns over mental health issues, as well as lack of fresh food and supplies. NPR is learning that the supply chain issues aren't limited to just that carrier.

**Michel Martin** (2:13)
To hear more about this, we have reporter Steve Walsh member station WHRO in Norfolk. Good morning, Steve.

**Steve Walsh** (2:18)
Morning, Michelle.

**Michel Martin** (2:19)
So there have been reports about families highlighting problems on board the USS Lincoln. We've heard a lot of those stories from you. Democratic lawmakers are demanding answers. How is the Trump administration responding?

**Steve Walsh** (2:30)
This has been a grueling deployment. USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in January before the war with Iran started, and sailors have been on the ship since the war began. The head of Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, wrapped up a tour of the region Saturday, which included a visit to USS Lincoln. He praised the sacrifice of the sailors. Cooper is quoted as saying, history will record this deployment as one of the most operationally intense and consequential of the modern era.
The administration has also been pushing back against reports from families who say the crews are under strain, including reports of sailors jumping overboard. Asked on Friday if the deployment had gone on too long, President Trump said, no, not nearly long enough.

**Michel Martin** (3:15)
Steve, what have you heard from sailors and their families about these comments?

**Steve Walsh** (3:19)
So not every sailor has the same reaction. I talked to the former acting head of force resiliency for the Navy. A Navy veteran, Andrea Goldstein, was in charge when the Navy was dealing with the rash of suicides in 2022 and 2023 She says the changes the Navy made started with creating a healthy command climate on the ships.

**Andrea Goldstein** (3:41)
It's not one comment, it's creating an ambient environment of disrespect.

**Steve Walsh** (3:48)
Dismissing sailors' concerns can actually make their situation worse. She says sailors may not recognize the impact of their constant stress until months after their deployment finally is over.

**Michel Martin** (3:59)
So can you just tell us a bit more about what conditions are like on these Navy ships in the Middle East right now, recognizing that many Americans at this point in our history don't have a personal connection to military service. Tell us what you can about it.

**Steve Walsh** (4:11)
Right. So the problems with the logistics are not confined to USS Lincoln. Supply lines have been strained since the beginning of the war. I talked with Sam Howard, a former Navy captain who lives in Virginia Beach. His son was on one of the ships in the USS Tripoli amphibious ready group, which carries sailors and marines. His son told them they quickly ran low on hygiene products and other supplies. The crew returned to their home port in Japan in late July, but they still haven't received all of their mail and care packages.