USS Bush families told sailors will miss holidays as deployment stretches on

Families of sailors in the USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group were told their loved ones would not return for the holidays and should prepare for a deployment lasting up to a year, MS NOW reported, citing audio of a November 9 meeting with Navy leaders in Norfolk.

The strike group departed March 31. Officials described a yearlong deployment as a worst-case planning scenario, with no firm homecoming date. Families also raised concerns about broken equipment, fresh-food shortages and access to mental-health care.

Navy leaders said preparations were underway for another carrier strike group to relieve the Bush. Capt. Justin Issler subsequently promised families more candid communication and action on sailors’ welfare and living conditions.