USS Lincoln Reports Eight Suicide Attempts During Extended Iran War Deployment

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed in a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on Tuesday that eight personnel assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during the vessel's extended deployment, which began in November 2025. The letter, responding to the Democrat senator's inquiry about conditions aboard the ship, specified that the eight attempts occurred across the strike group, including crew from the carrier itself, its air wing, destroyer squadrons, and embarked aviation units. Cao stated that no suicides were completed during the deployment.

The USS Abraham Lincoln spent 286 days at sea before docking in Thailand in early September 2026. The deployment was originally scheduled to end in May but was repeatedly extended amid ongoing U.S. military operations against Iran, which began in February 2026. During the extended mission, the carrier and its approximately 5,000 personnel faced documented incidents including one sailor jumping overboard in August (who was rescued) and another attempting to go overboard in March (who was prevented by shipmates). Two of the eight suicide attempts occurred during active combat operations, according to a defense official.

The disclosure emerged amid widespread reports of deteriorating conditions aboard the vessel. In August 2026, military media outlets and family members raised concerns about food shortages, supply issues including reduced meal options, mold in ship facilities, shortages of soap and basic necessities, and faulty plumbing. Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, initially dismissed these reports as misrepresented by media outlets. Cao's letter acknowledged temporary reductions in meal options and "localized piping failures" and desalination unit problems, characterizing certain supply constraints as measures "implemented to optimize endurance and ensure sustained time on station." He noted that five chaplains and multiple mental health professionals were available aboard.

Senator Gillibrand criticized the Trump administration's initial response, stating: "What Trump and Secretary Hegseth dismissed as 'fake news' turned out to be serious and deteriorating conditions for our service members." The Pentagon has stated there was no increase in suicide attempts and that personnel had access to counselors and support services. The Lincoln was relieved by the USS George Washington in late August and subsequently sailed to Guam before heading toward its home port of San Diego.