This week, the acting Navy Secretary, Hung Cao, confirmed that eight sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, along with ships supporting it during its nine-month deployment in the Middle East, had attempted suicide.
Cao addressed this issue in a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), which CNN reported on Tuesday. He detailed that one sailor went overboard from the Lincoln in early August but was rescued by a helicopter. Additionally, another sailor tried to go overboard in March but was prevented by fellow crew members. Thankfully, none of these attempts resulted in fatalities.
The Lincoln strike group, which includes a guided missile cruiser and several destroyers, initially commenced a seven-month deployment in the South China Sea back in November 2025. However, it was redirected to the Arabian Sea in January just before Operation Epic Fury against Iran began. The group remained in that region until late August, when it was replaced by the USS George Washington, and has since started its return journey to the U.S.
In her statement to CNN, Gillibrand criticized President Trump for his earlier dismissal of concerns regarding living conditions on the Lincoln, as well as War Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“Our troops and their families make immense sacrifices every single day, yet the president dismissed them with open disrespect,” the senator stated. She further pointed out the administration’s prioritization of funding for various ventures while failing to support service members appropriately, calling it “completely unacceptable.”
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or facing a mental health crisis, in New York City, you can seek help by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL for confidential support. For those outside the city, the National Suicide Prevention hotline is available at 988, or you can visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org for resources.
