Eight US Navy Sailors Attempted Suicide During USS Abraham Lincoln Iran War Deployment

Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed in a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand that eight US Navy personnel assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during an extended combat deployment supporting military operations against Iran. The deployment lasted over six months—with some reports indicating 286 days or more than nine months at sea—without standard port calls. While no sailors died by suicide during the mission, the disclosures sparked widespread concern from lawmakers regarding the severe mental health toll, grueling combat conditions, and deteriorating living amenities aboard the deployment.

// Background

The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group was deployed to the Middle East supporting US combat operations against Iran. Due to intensive combat readiness and prolonged operational demands, the carrier spent an unprecedented length of time at sea—over six to nine months—exceeding normal deployment cycles without standard port calls to rest and resupply, leading to reports of low morale, supply shortages, and severe psychological strain.

// Key Developments

• Eight US Navy personnel assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during its deployment.
• No suicide deaths occurred during the mission, according to the Navy.
• The strike group spent over six months to nearly nine months at sea conducting intensive combat operations against Iran without regular port calls.
• The figures cover personnel across the carrier crew, air wing, destroyer squadron, escort ships, and aviation units.
• The disclosure led to public criticism from lawmakers like Senator Kirsten Gillibrand concerning service member conditions and mental health support.