Eight US Navy Personnel Attempt Suicide During Prolonged Deployment

Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao has revealed that eight personnel associated with the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln attempted suicide during its prolonged deployment.

The disclosure came in a letter to New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who had raised questions about the welfare of personnel serving aboard the carrier.

Families of service members had previously expressed concerns about deteriorating mental health among the crew, citing the extended mission, difficult conditions and psychological pressure. The USS Abraham Lincoln had been deployed since November and remained in the Middle East amid U.S. military operations against Iran. The carrier is now returning to the United States.

In his letter, Cao said five military chaplains and multiple mental health professionals were available to address the crew’s spiritual and psychological needs. The eight personnel who attempted suicide were not limited to the Abraham Lincoln’s crew. They also included personnel from the carrier’s air wing, strike group, destroyers and other supporting units.

Although the U.S. Navy had previously acknowledged some logistical problems, it rejected the characterization that the carrier was experiencing a major mental health crisis. Approximately 5,000 personnel were deployed aboard the carrier.

Cao also said reports about broken plumbing systems and severe shortages of fresh food had been exaggerated. However, he acknowledged pipeline failures in some areas, problems with systems used to convert seawater into drinking water, and limited food choices for certain periods.

Senator Gillibrand, meanwhile, criticized the Trump administration’s earlier response, saying it was “absolutely unacceptable” to treat service members in such a manner. She argued that problems previously described as “fake news” were actually serious and worsening conditions affecting personnel serving aboard the carrier.

The USS Abraham Lincoln departed California in November. Its deployment was originally scheduled to end in May but was repeatedly extended. In August, the USS George Washington was sent to the Middle East to replace the Abraham Lincoln after completing a nine-month deployment.

According to available data, suicide is among the significant causes of death in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. A study published in January 2025 examined 956 naval personnel and reported that service members deployed aboard ships experienced higher levels of severe psychological stress compared with personnel in other branches of the U.S. military.

The study identified poor living conditions, constant noise, demanding duty schedules and inadequate rest and sleep as factors that can negatively affect mental health.