Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao sent a letter to the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group addressing the ship's extended deployment, according to a Navy statement and the letter cited by CNN and other outlets [1][2][3]. The letter was delivered to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York on Tuesday in response to questions from the Democrat about the well-being of sailors aboard, the BBC reported [3].
The letter disclosed that eight Navy personnel assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during a ten-month deployment that included combat operations against Iran [1][2]. "Since the beginning of Lincoln's deployment, there have been a total of eight suicide attempts across the strike group," Cao wrote, according to the text of the letter cited by Middle East Eye [2].
The Navy confirmed the letter's delivery but did not release the full text, according to service spokespeople. Cao said in the letter that the crew had adequate mental health support during the long deployment, the BBC reported [3]. The carrier's tour of duty began in late November 2025 and has drawn sustained media attention over logistical and maintenance problems, including food and basic-supply shortages, a lack of hot and potable water, and plumbing failures [1][4].
Extended Deployment Prompted Letter, Officials Say
The USS Abraham Lincoln departed San Diego on November 21, 2025, for what was originally scheduled as a seven-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, according to Navy officials [5][6]. The carrier began operating in Middle East waters in January 2026 and has assisted in combat operations against Iran since February 28, 2026, officials said [6]. Its tour was repeatedly extended due to its involvement in U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, according to the Navy [4].
Reports of crew and family concerns about deployment length preceded the letter. Family members of sailors raised alarm about deteriorating mental health and difficult conditions during the prolonged mission, according to media accounts and statements from relatives [1][3]. At least one sailor jumped overboard, and another had to be restrained from doing so, Middle East Eye reported [7]. The Lincoln has been deployed for more than 250 days and had not made a port call in over 200 days, setting a modern Navy record for consecutive, uninterrupted time at sea, according to reports [8][9].
Navy officials said leadership is aware of the concerns and is providing support services. Top Navy officials met with family members of deployed sailors and Marines to address the stresses of the ongoing duty in the Middle East, according to The Epoch Times [6]. Congressional Democrats demanded answers about conditions aboard the carrier following reports of food shortages, broken plumbing and mental health crises, with Senator Richard Blumenthal calling for the Navy to account for conditions during the record-setting deployment [10].
Operational Context: Carrier Remains in Middle East
The USS Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations, where it supports regional deterrence missions and enforcement of a naval blockade of Iran, according to the Navy and defense officials [11][12]. The carrier and its strike group have fended off numerous Iranian drone and missile attacks in recent months, according to officials [13]. The Lincoln has participated in combat operations against Iran as part of what the U.S. and Israel call Operation Epic Fury [14].
Pentagon officials said the carrier's presence is part of broader force posture adjustments in the region. Vice President JD Vance said in August 2026 that preventing a nuclear Iran was Washington's second priority, with the first being to "keep oil and gasoline cheap for Americans" [15]. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has quietly extended U.S. troop deployments in the Middle East into 2027, signaling that the military campaign against Iran could continue, according to people familiar with the matter [16]. The current posture includes 19 warships, air-defense units, fighter squadrons and paratroopers positioned across the region, officials said [16].
The Navy did not provide a specific timeline for the carrier's return. The USS George Washington officially entered Middle East waters on Aug. 19, 2026, bringing fresh forces to the region and potential relief for the Lincoln, according to U.S. Central Command [17]. "The George Washington Carrier Strike Group is operating in Middle East during a scheduled deployment after arriving in the CENTCOM theater yesterday," CENTCOM said in a social media post on August 20, 2026 [17].
References
- RT. "US Navy admits suicide attempts on carrier strike group". September 24, 2026.
- Middle East Eye. "Eight sailors assigned to US carrier strike group attempted suicide during deployment against Iran: Report". September 24, 2026.
- BBC. "Eight US sailors assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln attempted suicide, Navy says". September 24, 2026.
- The War Zone. "USS Abraham Lincoln Looks Like It's Been Through Hell After 286 Days At Sea". September 2, 2026.
- Brighteon. "Pentagon chief Pete Kegsbreath said the US is prepared to maintain its naval blockade of Iran for as long as it takes". August 13, 2026.
- The War Zone. "USS Abraham Lincoln Is Getting A Badly Needed Scrubbing While In Thailand". September 4, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. "USS Abraham Lincoln Concludes Record Deployment Amid Reports of Supply Shortages and Low Morale". August 24, 2026.
- Just the News. "Hegseth says reports about conditions on USS Lincoln are misrepresented, but does not deny them". August 13, 2026.
- The War Zone. "Where Are The Aircraft Carriers?: August 24, 2026". August 25, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. "U.S. Extends Middle East Troop Deployments Into 2027 as Iran War Drags On". September 4, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. "Trump dismisses report of attack on USS Abraham Lincoln". August 20, 2026.
- Middle East Eye. "Centcom chief visits US carrier enforcing Iran blockade amid reports of severe strain on crew". August 16, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. "USS Abraham Lincoln crew faces mounting mental health crisis amid extended Iran war deployment". August 13, 2026.
- The Times of Israel. "Vance: Preventing nuclear Iran is the 'number two' US goal, after ensuring cheap oil". August 14, 2026.
- The Epoch Times. "New Aircraft Carrier Arrives in the Middle East, Signaling Possible Relief for Lincoln". August 20, 2026.
- Antiwar.com. "US Sending Fresh Aircraft Carrier to the Middle East Amid Reports of Multiple Sailors Attempting to Jump Overboard". August 13, 2026.
- Middle East Eye. "Morale on US aircraft carrier enforcing Iran blockade plummets, as sailor jumps overboard: Report". August 14, 2026.
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