Eight personnel assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group have attempted suicide during the vessel’s extended deployment, the U.S. Navy confirmed in a letter sent Tuesday by acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The deployment, initially scheduled to conclude in May, was extended amid ongoing tensions related to the conflict with Iran, resulting in the carrier strike group remaining at sea for 286 days.
Cao’s letter, responding on behalf of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, detailed that the eight suicide attempts involved members from across the strike group, including the carrier crew, the carrier air wing, strike group and destroyer squadron staff, as well as personnel from escorting destroyers and other embarked aviation squadrons.
Earlier reports in August by two military newspapers highlighted concerns about the deteriorating mental health among sailors aboard the Lincoln, citing multiple attempts to jump overboard. Cao noted that in March one sailor was prevented by shipmates from going overboard, while in August another sailor did go overboard but was rescued, received medical treatment, and subsequently transferred off the ship for ongoing care.
Additional reports raised troubling issues regarding living conditions on the ship, including allegations of mold in showers and shortages of essential supplies such as food and soap. Cao acknowledged in his letter that there were delays in replenishing supplies and a temporary reduction in the number of entrée options served, which went from two to one main dish per meal. However, he emphasized that the ship provided four nutritionally balanced meals daily and that this adjustment was made to optimize endurance and sustain time on station.
The revelations about the mental health challenges and conditions onboard sparked criticism from several Democratic lawmakers. Senator Gillibrand called for an investigation into the situation, condemning what she described as dismissive attitudes from the administration. In a statement, she criticized former President Donald Trump and Secretary Hegseth for downplaying the reports, stating that dismissing the concerns as “fake news” was disrespectful to service members and their families. She also questioned the prioritization of military spending, contrasting the resources allocated to defense with the care provided to active personnel.
In response, the Navy maintained that it places a high priority on the health, wellbeing, and morale of its sailors. A Navy official reiterated the commitment to supporting personnel throughout their deployments.
The crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln disembarked on September 1 in a Thai resort city following the prolonged mission. The letter also included contact information for various suicide prevention and crisis helplines available internationally, underscoring ongoing efforts to address mental health support within military ranks.