8 US Sailors Attempted Suicide During USS Abraham Lincoln Deployment? Navy Secretary Tells Senate

Eight US service members assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during its lengthy deployment, including two incidents that occurred while the group was engaged in fighting with Iran, Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao told the Senate.

Cao disclosed the figure in a four-page letter to Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, responding to questions about sailors’ mental health, morale and living conditions. He said no service member died by suicide during the deployment.

The figure covers the wider strike group, not just sailors aboard the carrier. It includes personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln, its carrier air wing, strike group and destroyer squadron staff, escorting destroyers and embarked aviation squadrons. Around 6,000 to 7,000 sailors served across roughly six ships.

Cao detailed two previously reported overboard incidents. In March, a sailor attempted to go overboard but was stopped by fellow crew members. In early August, another sailor went overboard from the carrier and was quickly rescued by an air wing search-and-rescue helicopter. Both received medical care and were later transferred off the ship or returned home.

The Lincoln left San Diego in November 2025 and was originally scheduled to end its deployment in May. Its mission was extended as the US-Iran war continued. The carrier eventually spent 286 days at sea, including more than 250 consecutive days without a port call, before making a brief stop in Thailand in September.

The prolonged deployment had prompted concerns from sailors’ families and lawmakers over mental health, exhaustion, food, plumbing, water and basic supplies. Reports alleged mould in showers, broken toilets, shortages of food and hygiene products and long periods without hot water.

Cao disputed some claims while acknowledging problems. He said the carrier experienced localised piping failures and temporary issues with reverse-osmosis desalination units. Drinking water remained safe and was tested daily, he said.

The Navy also temporarily reduced main-course choices from two to one during some meals because of limited resupply opportunities. Cao said sailors continued receiving four nutritionally balanced meals a day.

The carrier had extensive mental-health support, including one psychologist, three behavioural health technicians, a clinical social worker, an integrated prevention counsellor, a facility dog and five chaplains.

The disclosure follows earlier denials of a mental-health crisis aboard the Lincoln. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had described reports about conditions on the ship as “completely misrepresented”, while President Donald Trump also defended the carrier’s condition.

Gillibrand criticised the administration’s earlier response, saying reports dismissed as “fake news” had exposed serious concerns involving service members.

The USS George Washington was diverted from the Pacific to replace the Lincoln in the Middle East. The Lincoln has since left Thailand and is returning to the United States, although its exact schedule remains classified.