The dark underbelly of the protracted American military deployment in the Middle East... officially comes to light from American officials, with the US Navy confirming that eight suicide attempts were recorded across the strike group of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during its operational deployment.
The disclosure is contained in an official letter from the Acting Secretary of the Navy of the US, Hung Cao, addressed to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, dated September 22.
It is recalled that the crew of the Lincoln remained at sea for 286 days, while its deployment was extended far beyond initial planning as the aircraft carrier participated in American operations across the Middle East.
The same letter reveals two additional incidents that raise questions regarding the welfare of the crew. Specifically, in March a sailor attempted to jump overboard and was prevented by fellow crew members, while in early August another sailor fell into the sea, requiring rescue by helicopter and medical evacuation off the ship for further clinical care.
The revelations arrive on the heels of reports concerning deteriorating mental health among sailors, as well as complaints regarding substandard living conditions and delays in replenishing basic provisions. Concurrently, the American administration had previously dismissed depictions in the press regarding conditions aboard the vessel, characterizing them as exaggerated and misrepresented.
US Navy confirms suicide attempts
Eight members of the US Navy, serving within the strike group of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, have attempted suicide since the inception of the ship's extended deployment in the context of the war between the US and Iran, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao revealed in a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on Tuesday.
«Since the start of the Lincoln's deployment, there have been a total of eight suicide attempts across the strike group», wrote Hung Cao, responding on behalf of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to Kirsten Gillibrand's inquiry regarding quality of life across the fleet. «This figure encompasses the crew of the Lincoln and sailors from the carrier air wing, the strike group and destroyer squadron staffs, the escort destroyers, and all embarked aviation squadrons».
The crew of the Lincoln, which remained underway for 286 days, went ashore on September 1 at a resort location in Thailand. The crew was slated to conclude its deployment in May, yet it was prolonged due to the conflict, which remained active.
In August, two military publications aired reports on deteriorating mental health among sailors, including multiple episodes where personnel attempted to jump into the sea. The reports provoked backlash from Democrats, who called for inquiries into conditions prevailing aboard the carrier.
In March, an attempt by a sailor to leap overboard was thwarted by colleagues, according to Hung Cao. In August, a sailor did plunge into the sea. He was rescued and received medical attention before being «transferred off the vessel for further care», wrote Hung Cao.
MS NOW also broadcast complaints in August concerning mold across shipboard showers and diminished stockpiles of food, soap, and other essential supplies.
The number of available main meal options was temporarily reduced from two to one, Hung Cao noted in his letter. The measure, as he stated, «was implemented to optimize operational endurance and ensure sustained presence within the area of operations». He added that four nutritionally balanced meals were served daily.
Hung Cao acknowledged that there were certain delays in replenishing crew provisions.
As details regarding degraded morale on the Lincoln surfaced, Pete Hegseth downplayed the media coverage, arguing that press outlets «presented an entirely distorted image» of the situation. «We ensure that every ship, every crew, and every commanding officer has everything we can provide them at all times», he stated to reporters in August.
«What Donald Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed as "fake news" proved to be severe and deteriorating conditions for the men and women serving in our armed forces», Kirsten Gillibrand told The Guardian on Wednesday. «Our troops and their families make monumental sacrifices every day, yet the president treated them with complete disrespect. The fact that this administration can locate endless taxpayer funds for bombs, ballrooms, and billionaires, yet cannot look after the people serving in the armed forces, is entirely unacceptable».
«The US Navy and the Secretary of the Navy are fully committed to the health, well-being, and morale of our sailors», an official of the US Navy stated to The Guardian on Wednesday.
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