Archive · 16 Aug 2026
US Navy Faces Sanitation Row Over Toilets, Supply Shortages
Some sailors in the US Navy are unhappy with the conditions on their ships.
One sailor took a video showing dirty toilets on the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier.
The sailor joked about the Navy's advertisement that tells people to join.
People on the ship are reportedly frustrated about the bathrooms and other problems.
On another ship, the USS Boxer, women say they are running out of things they need like sanitary pads and tampons.
The women have been asking their families to mail them supplies, but some packages never arrived.
The USS Boxer left San Diego in March 2026 and went to the Middle East in late June.
The ship has been at sea for months without stopping at a port.
Because the ship is old and will be retired soon, sailors worry about their living conditions during this long trip.
A US Navy sailor shared footage purportedly showing poor toilet facilities aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
Female service members aboard the USS Boxer reportedly face shortages of sanitary pads and tampons.
A family member said women on the USS Boxer have been rationing supplies and 'begging' for more, with some care packages failing to reach the ship.
The USS Boxer departed San Diego in March 2026 and reached the Middle East by late June to support US operations against Iran.
The ship has reportedly gone months without a port call and is an ageing vessel already scheduled for retirement.
- Who
- Sailors and female service members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Boxer, as well as family members of crew.
- What
- Reports of poor sanitation in the toilets aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and shortages of feminine hygiene products aboard the USS Boxer.
- When
- Footage and reports emerged recently; the USS Boxer departed San Diego in March 2026 and reached the Middle East by late June 2026.
- Where
- Aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer in the Middle East.
- Why
- Prolonged deployments without port calls, limited resupply opportunities, and ageing vessels have raised concerns about crew conditions.
- USS Abraham Lincoln
- Aircraft carrier with reported toilet sanitation problems and crew frustration
- USS Boxer
- Wasp-class amphibious assault ship facing shortages of feminine hygiene supplies
- Reported shortage
- Sanitary pads and tampons, with sailors rationing supplies
- Departure
- Departed San Diego in March 2026
- Arrival region
- Middle East by late June 2026
- Mission context
- Supporting US operations against Iran
- Port calls
- Months without a port call, limiting resupply and crew respite
- USS Boxer status
- Ageing vessel already scheduled for retirement