Navy admits there were 8 suicide attempts aboard the USS Lincoln during Iran war deployment
Por Jasmine Fernández — – World RSS Feed
Navy admits there were 8 suicide attempts aboard the USS Lincoln during Iran war deployment
The deployment kept sailors at sea for more than 250 consecutive days without port visits, setting a modern Navy record during months of combat operations in the Middle East
Jasmine Fernández in Portland Thursday 24 September 2026 03:07 BST
- Bookmark
- Comments Go to comments
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks
Close popover
Become an Independent member to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member?
Log in
Your support helps us to tell the story
Read more Support Now
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference. Read more
Eight U.S. Navy sailors attempted suicide during the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group’s extended deployment to the Middle East, according to a letter by a top Pentagon official obtained by CNN.
In the written response, sent Tuesday to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., following congressional inquiries into shipboard mental health, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao detailed that the figures covered the entire strike group — including the aircraft carrier, its air wing, escorting destroyers and support staff.
Cao said that no sailors died by suicide during the rotation, which featured active combat operations against Iran.
Political leadership previously downplayed reports of deteriorating conditions on the ship.
“What Trump and Secretary Hegseth dismissed as ‘fake news’ turned out to be serious and deteriorating conditions for our service members,” Gillibrand said in a statement Wednesday.
open image in galleryA defense official confirmed to CBS News that two of the attempts occurred while the strike group was actively engaged in combat.
The deployment lasted more than nine months and included over 250 consecutive days at sea without port visits, setting a modern Navy record. Beyond combat pressures, crew members experienced basic quality-of-life issues on board. Sailors reported frequent plumbing failures that shut down toilets and hot water, as well as food and supply shortages.
“Eight attempted suicides is incredibly high,” a U.S. military official told CNN, adding that typical strike group deployments see one or two attempts per year. “The strain of combat ops is much higher than normal deployments. No port calls, constant alerts, etc.”
The strike group’s rate of suicide attempts aligned with the broader active-duty Navy’s 2024 statistics, which recorded 356 attempts across roughly 337,000 active-duty sailors.
open image in galleryThe letter also outlined specific overboard incidents. In August, a sailor assigned to the air wing went overboard, was “quickly recovered” and received medical care. In March, shipmates stopped another sailor from going overboard, and that sailor was treated and sent back to home port.
Cao noted that mental health personnel deployed with the strike group included five chaplains, a psychologist, a clinical social worker, an integrated prevention counselor, three behavioral health technicians and a facility dog.
In a prior statement to CNN, the Navy defended its onboard support systems.
“We have not observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts aboard the ship,” the statement read. “We take every service member’s well-being seriously and have religious, medical and mental health professionals available to assess and address concerns as they arise.”
open image in galleryA U.S. official also told the publication that the Navy did not link deployment length to self-harm and that man-overboard situations happened across the fleet.
Sailors on board described a different environment, citing widespread low morale and anxiety over their return date.
“Everyday we wake up and listen to our captain speak, we are desperately hoping and anxious for updates on our return,” one crew member told the outlet before the ship departed the Middle East.
Asked for comment on the letter, the Navy pointed to a video Cao posted on X, in which he said, “We must confront the rising tide of suicide head-on.”
The USS Abraham Lincoln left the Middle East late last month after being relieved by the USS George Washington. The ship has since stopped in Thailand and Guam as it travels back to its home port in San Diego.
More about
Kirsten GillibrandNavyDonald TrumpIran
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Most popular
Popular videos
Bulletin
Read next
Fonte: – World RSS Feed
