Revelation of the crew on the US “suicide aircraft carrier”

On May 7, the radio station CNN quoted Captain Brent Gaut as admitting that the crew returned to the USS George Washington too soon when the ship was still a “construction site”.

Another sailor said two months ago that the ship was under maintenance, not ready to receive the crew. According to the US Navy, the aircraft carrier USS George Washington has been refueling and mid-life overhaul since the summer of 2017. The overhaul was originally scheduled to last four years but was delayed several times, possibly. until at least March 2023.

The situation on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington was noticed after three sailors on this ship committed suicide within a week in April. The US Navy has confirmed that in the past 12 months, the crew of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington has lost seven people, of which at least four committed suicide, including sailor Xavier Sandor who committed suicide on April 15.

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington. Photo: US Navy

Twelve sailors and former sailors of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington have revealed many of the problems they encountered with CNNincluding poor accommodation, suspicions of food quality, the commander’s failure to resolve and dismiss complaints… They said the ship was “unhabitable, noisy, intermittent power failure and lack of hot water. “.

Sandor’s father, John Sandor, said his son once described conditions on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington as “terrible”.

“How can you sleep on an aircraft carrier with hammers pounding, smoke and smells going up all day? My son has to sleep in his car. No sailor can live on a ship in these conditions. there” – Mr. John wondered and demanded an explanation.

Another sailor, who asked not to be named, told CNN that he was not surprised to hear about the suicides aboard the USS George Washington, having witnessed it before.

Some sailors said the ship was “unlivable, noisy, with constant power outages and lack of hot water”. Photo: CNN

Meanwhile, Admiral Robert Myers, a spokesman for the US Air Force – Navy Atlantic, confirmed that the USS George Washington aircraft carrier’s deck and dock were inspected before the first sailors moved on. there.

In addition, Mr. Myers said commanding officers also evaluate daily meals to control food served to sailors living and working on the ship.

“When several members of Congress visited the aircraft carrier USS George Washington earlier this week, the spaces including the showroom and the dock were in good condition,” Myers told CNN on May 6. .

When asked if the US Navy knew that sailors had to sleep in their cars instead of on the ship, Mr. Myers stressed that all sailors are “accommodated” and the US Navy will consider whether accommodation is one of the factors leading to suicides.