Navy Reports 8 Suicide Attempts on USS Abraham Lincoln During 286-Day Deployment

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao disclosed that eight sailors assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during a 286-day deployment supporting combat operations against Iran. Cao revealed the number in a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on Tuesday. The strike group included 6,000 to 7,000 sailors across multiple ships. No service members died during the deployment, and the attempt rate was roughly consistent with the broader Navy’s 2024 suicide attempt statistics.

What happened during the deployment

The USS Abraham Lincoln was scheduled to return in May but was extended due to the ongoing Iran conflict. The carrier remained at sea for 286 days before disembarking on September 1 in Thailand. During this time, the strike group conducted more than 200 days of combat operations. In March, one sailor attempted to jump overboard but was stopped by shipmates. In August, another sailor went overboard and was rescued, then transferred off-ship for follow-up care.

How the suicide attempt rate compares

Eight attempts among the strike group’s 6,000 to 7,000 sailors over 10 months is lower than the Navy-wide rate, according to Navy officials. The Navy recorded 356 suicide attempts among approximately 337,000 active duty sailors in 2024. Over three years, Navy suicide attempts rose nearly 50 percent, according to Navy records. Experts noted the rate was not out of the norm for a long deployment.

Crew conditions and extended absence from port

The Lincoln had between 2,500 and 2,800 sailors aboard at any given time. The carrier faced supply shortages, including reduced food options and hygiene products. The number of entree choices was temporarily cut from two to one to extend time at sea. Cao acknowledged delays in replenishing crew supplies. Ships in the Middle East typically made port calls at Naval Station Bahrain, but those facilities came under attack from Iran, making anchoring impossible. Retired Navy Captain John Cordle said a long deployment without port calls takes a toll on sailors.

Navy response and mental health support

Cao emphasized that no service members died during the deployment. The carrier had five chaplains aboard plus medical, surgical, and mental health personnel. The Navy stated it treats every attempted suicide case very seriously. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand criticized the administration for dismissing crew concerns, saying the Navy and Defense Department initially called reports of deteriorating conditions fake news before the letter confirmed the attempts.

Final Thoughts

The disclosure confirms reports of crew stress during the Lincoln’s record deployment but shows the suicide attempt rate was consistent with Navy-wide statistics. The extended absence from port and supply constraints highlight the strain of sustained combat operations on sailor mental health.

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