WASHINGTON- Eight US Navy personnel attempted suicide during the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group’s extended deployment to the Middle East, according to information released by the Trump administration to a senior lawmaker.
Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao disclosed the figure in a written response to Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who had sought information about the mental health and living conditions of personnel assigned to the mission.
“Since the beginning of the Lincoln’s deployment, there have been a total of eight suicide attempts across the strike group,” Cao wrote.
The figure covers personnel serving on the USS Abraham Lincoln, its carrier air wing, accompanying destroyers, aviation squadrons and other units within the strike group. No service member died by suicide during the deployment, according to the Navy.
The disclosure follows months of concern from military families and lawmakers over the psychological toll of one of the longest US Navy deployments in recent history.
286 Days at Sea
The USS Abraham Lincoln left its San Diego home port in November 2025 and was later redirected from the Indo-Pacific to support American military operations against Iran in the Middle East.
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier spent 286 consecutive days at sea before arriving in Thailand in early September for a five-day break.
It had gone for more than 200 days without a port visit, setting a modern US Navy record. Approximately 5,000 sailors and Marines were serving aboard the carrier.
Families raised concerns about fatigue, limited communication, food supplies and the repeated extension of the mission.
The Navy described the deployment as historically demanding but said the ship had sailed with five chaplains, a psychologist, two social workers, three behavioural-health technicians and a therapy dog.
It did not disclose the medical condition of those involved in the suicide attempts, citing privacy protections.
Trump Dismissed Deployment Concerns
President Donald Trump previously rejected suggestions that the deployment had lasted too long.
Asked in August whether more than eight months at sea was excessive, President Trump responded: “No, no, no. Not nearly long enough.”
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also said reports of deteriorating conditions on the carrier had been misrepresented.
Democratic lawmakers continued pressing the Pentagon for answers, arguing that the reported cases pointed to serious concerns about crew welfare and the strain caused by extended combat deployments.
The USS George Washington was subsequently sent to the Middle East to relieve the Abraham Lincoln.
The Pentagon has maintained a significant military presence in the region as the Trump administration continues its campaign against Iran and related armed groups.
