Eight Sailors on USS Abraham Lincoln Attempted Suicide, Navy Confirms

Eight members of the crew assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group attempted suicide while on deployment, according to a recent statement from the US Navy. The disclosure was made by Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao in a letter addressed to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, responding to growing concerns regarding the well-being of service members aboard the vessel.

Cao confirmed that the individuals involved were drawn from various units within the strike group, including the carrier’s own crew, the carrier airwing, destroyer squadron staff, escort destroyers, and embarked aviation squadrons. He emphasized that support resources were available onboard, noting the presence of five chaplains and multiple mental health professionals tasked with addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of the approximately 5,000-person crew.

The revelation follows alarm raised by family members about deteriorating mental health and harsh living conditions during the ship’s extended deployment, which began last November. While the Navy has previously acknowledged supply challenges, it has denied reports of a widespread mental health crisis on the carrier.

In the same correspondence, Cao addressed allegations of poor sanitation and food shortages. While denying claims of broken plumbing or a lack of fresh food across the ship, he acknowledged temporary “localized piping failures” and issues with the reverse osmosis desalination units. Additionally, he admitted that main entrée options at meals were reduced from two to one for a brief period.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is currently returning to the United States after its nine-month mission. In August, the USS George Washington was dispatched to relieve the Abraham Lincoln as part of the ongoing rotation of carrier assets.