Eight USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors Attempted Suicide During Extended Middle East Deployment

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao told Senator Kirsten Gillibrand that eight sailors assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during the vessel's lengthy deployment in the Middle East. The carrier, which began its current deployment on Nov. 21, 2025, has been at sea for more than 300 days and is expected to return to San Diego after another two weeks.

Cao said in a letter that none of the attempts resulted in fatalities. One air-wing sailor went overboard in early August and was rescued by a ship-based helicopter, while another attempted to jump in March but was stopped by fellow crew members.

A former Pentagon official commented that the frequency of attempts—about one per month—reflected the intense challenges faced by sailors during a dangerous operation and urged the Navy to provide all necessary resources to maintain combat readiness.

Crew members have reported poor living conditions, including food shortages, reduced meal options, and sanitation problems caused by localized plumbing failures and issues with desalination units. Cao noted that meal service was adjusted temporarily to sustain the ship’s endurance, but emphasized that all meals remained nutritionally balanced.

Lawmakers expressed concern over the reported conditions. Senator Gillibrand criticized the administration for initially downplaying the issues, while the Navy has not responded to a request for comment.