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Eight US sailors assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln attempted suicide, Navy says

September 24, 2026

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao revealed that eight crew members from the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during an extended deployment to the Middle East as part of operations related to a US war in Iran. The carrier, which departed California in November with approximately 5,000 crew aboard, had its deployment repeatedly extended beyond the original May end date, keeping sailors at sea for over 250 days. While the Navy acknowledged some temporary infrastructure problems including plumbing failures and food shortages, officials denied claims of a widespread mental health crisis despite family members raising alarms about deteriorating conditions.

Who is affected

  • Eight sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group who attempted suicide
  • Approximately 5,000 crew members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln
  • Family members of the deployed sailors
  • Sailors from the carrier airwing, strike group, destroyer squadron staff, escorting destroyers, and embarked aviation squadrons
  • Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (New York)

What action is being taken

  • The USS Abraham Lincoln is returning to the United States
  • Five chaplains and multiple mental health professionals are providing spiritual and emotional support to crew members aboard the carrier
  • US sailors are stopping in Thailand for shore leave on their way home

Why it matters

  • This situation highlights critical mental health challenges facing US Navy personnel, particularly during extended deployments that strain both physical conditions and psychological well-being. The revelation of eight suicide attempts underscores systemic issues within naval operations, as research shows sailors experience the highest rates of serious psychological distress among military branches due to poor living conditions, demanding schedules, and inadequate rest. The incident also raises concerns about military readiness and the human cost of prolonged overseas operations, while demonstrating the need for greater oversight and accountability in how the military responds to deteriorating conditions affecting service members.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC

Eight US sailors assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln attempted suicide, Navy says