Eight sailors attempt suicide during USS Abraham Lincoln deployment to Iran region
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed that eight sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during a prolonged deployment that included operations near Iran. The disclosure comes amid growing concerns from families about deteriorating mental health conditions and poor living standards aboard the vessel, which departed last November and is now returning home.
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Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao disclosed in a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand that eight sailors assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during its extended deployment, which included military operations in the Iran region. The carrier, which has been deployed since November, is currently returning to the United States.
The acknowledgment follows increasing concerns raised by sailors' families regarding declining mental health and challenging living conditions during the prolonged Middle East mission. Cao stated that five chaplains and multiple mental health professionals were available aboard to support the crew, and he disputed claims that a wider mental health crisis existed among the approximately 5,000 personnel on the ship.
Cao's letter also acknowledged localised plumbing failures and malfunctions in reverse-osmosis desalination units that produce drinking water, as well as a temporary reduction in meal options. He denied more extensive reports of widespread plumbing problems and food shortages. Senator Gillibrand criticised the administration for previously dismissing the reports as fake news, describing the treatment of service members as completely unacceptable.
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