- The USS Abraham Lincoln has been at sea for nine months, much longer than the typical six-month deployment, and combat aircraft have launched from the carrier more than 10,000 times in the past eight months.
- Jefferson Kelley, whose son Jackson is aboard the Lincoln on his first deployment, expressed concern: "They should not be deployed this long." He also noted the ships are old and require constant maintenance.
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing "widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues ... and deteriorating mental health."
- U.S. Central Command denied reports of increased suicidal ideation, stating there have been no deaths aboard the vessel, and the Navy said it has not identified an increase in reported suicidal ideation or attempts, while providing resources like counselors, chaplains, and medical professionals.
- CENTCOM noted the ship has one of the highest crew reenlistment rates among U.S. Navy carriers, and said sailors and Marines aboard "remain resilient and resolved after more than 260 days at sea."
- Sailors' families relayed concerns directly to the Navy's acting secretary, Hung Cao, in a contentious meeting last week. Kelley begged officials to send his son home, even offering to volunteer in his place.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been at sea for nine months, exceeding the typical six-month deployment. Jefferson Kelley, father of a sailor on board, stated, "They should not be deployed this long," emphasizing the toll on the crew's well-being.1234910
Senator Richard Blumenthal raised alarms in a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing "widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues ... and deteriorating mental health." Despite these claims, U.S. Central Command refuted reports of increased suicidal ideation among the crew, asserting that there have been no deaths aboard the vessel.567
The Navy maintains that sailors have access to clean water, air conditioning, and healthy meals, even as "traditional supply hubs in the Middle East were disrupted by combat actions." However, Kelley expressed desperation, stating he begged officials to find any way to send his son home, even offering to volunteer in his place.
The USS George Washington has recently departed Vietnam to replace the Lincoln, but overlap in carrier rotations may delay the Lincoln's return to San Diego. The Navy also noted that the Lincoln has one of the highest crew reenlistment rates among U.S. carriers, indicating resilience among the sailors after more than 260 days at sea.8
“Sen. Richard Blumenthal wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about 'widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues ... and deteriorating mental health.' CENTCOM denies increased suicidal ideation, noting no deaths and one of the Navy's highest crew reenlistment rates.”
cbsnews.com
