Eight US Navy personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during their extended deployment, which was prolonged due to the US war on Iran, according to acting US Navy secretary Hung Cao.
Acting US Navy secretary Hung Cao revealed in a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand that eight US Navy personnel assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide since the start of their lengthy deployment. The deployment, which kept the crew at sea for 286 days, was extended beyond its scheduled May end due to the US war on Iran. The suicide attempts involved crew from the Lincoln, its airwing, strike group, destroyer squadron staff, escorting destroyers, and embarked aviation squadrons. Reports in August from military newspapers had already highlighted deteriorating mental health among sailors, including multiple attempts to jump overboard, one of which resulted in a rescue and transfer for follow-up care. Allegations of poor living conditions, such as mold in showers and dwindling supplies of food and soap, were also reported. Cao acknowledged temporary reductions in entrée options and certain delays in replenishing crew supplies. While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth initially downplayed media coverage, Senator Gillibrand criticized the administration for dismissing the serious conditions faced by service members.
