The U.S. Navy says eight service members assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during its extended deployment. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed the number in a letter to Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand this week.
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Cao said the eight attempts occurred across the Lincoln strike group since it left San Diego last November — two during active fighting with Iran. No suicides have occurred during the deployment.
Concerns at sea
The Lincoln has been deployed for more than nine months, far longer than originally planned, with much of that time spent supporting the war with Iran. The carrier spent a record 286 uninterrupted days at sea without a port call. For months, families have raised concerns about conditions onboard, including food and supply problems, faulty plumbing and the mental health of the crew.
The Pentagon has pushed back on reports of a mental health crisis, saying it has not seen an increase in suicide attempts and that counselors, chaplains and other support are available. The Navy also sent additional counselors and social workers to the ship last month.
CNN reports the rate of suicide attempts among sailors in the Lincoln strike group was roughly in line with the active-duty Navy overall in 2024, the most recent Pentagon data available.
President Donald Trump has previously dismissed reports about conditions onboard the ship as “fake news.”
Gillibrand criticized the administration’s response after Cao disclosed the eight attempts.
“What Trump and [Defense] Secretary [Pete] Hegseth dismissed as ‘fake news’ turned out to be serious and deteriorating conditions for our service members,” she said in a statement to Newsweek. “Our troops and their families make immense sacrifices every single day, yet the president dismissed them with open disrespect. That this administration can find endless taxpayer dollars for bombs, ballrooms, and billionaires, but cannot take care of our service members, is completely unacceptable.”
The USS George Washington has replaced the Lincoln in the Middle East. The Lincoln is now heading toward its home port of San Diego after stops in Thailand and Guam.
Editor’s Note: This story contains discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. Visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call or text 988 for immediate support.
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