Eight sailors in USS Lincoln group attempted suicide on extended deployment: Navy leader

Eight sailors attempted suicide while deployed with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, which spent a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea supporting the Iran war, the Navy's top civilian leader said this week.

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao provided the information to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in a letter dated Tuesday (September 22, 2026) after the New York Democrat inquired last month about the strike group's crew of thousands.

The Lincoln's extended deployment drew the nation's attention following reports of crew stress and poor mental health, as well as supply shortages, including food and hygiene products.

Sen. Gillibrand asked Acting Navy Secretary Cao specifically if there were any suicides. “There have been no suicides on board during this deployment,” Mr. Cao wrote in the letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press and reported earlier by CNN .