Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed this week that eight sailors assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier or ships in its strike group attempted suicide during the group’s nine-month deployment to the Middle East.
In a Tuesday letter to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), first reported by CNN, Cao said one sailor went overboard from the Lincoln in early August and was rescued by helicopter.
Another sailor tried to go overboard in March but was stopped by shipmates, according to Cao. None of the suicide attempts was successful, the acting secretary said.
The Lincoln strike group—which includes a guided-missile cruiser and several destroyers—initially began a scheduled seven-month deployment to the South China Sea in November 2025. In January, however, the group was redirected to the Arabian Sea shortly before the launch of Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
The strike group remained in the region until late August, when the USS George Washington took over its duties. The Lincoln then began its return voyage to the United States.
In a statement to CNN, Gillibrand criticized President Trump, who had dismissed concerns about conditions aboard the Lincoln raised in mid-August, 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 said. “That this administration can find endless taxpayer dollars for bombs, ballrooms and billionaires but cannot take care of our service members is completely unacceptable.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
