US Aircraft Carrier Crews Spend Over 8 Months at Sea Amid Growing Conc

Crews on US Aircraft Carrier Spend Over 8 Months at Sea Amid Growing Concerns

USS Abraham Lincoln Crew Faces Prolonged Deployment

The USS Abraham Lincoln, a US aircraft carrier, has been at sea for over 8 months, with thousands of crew members contending with food shortages, broken plumbing, and exhaustion.

Reports of Suicidal Ideation and Suicides on Board

Multiple service members have considered jumping overboard, according to their families, citing the prolonged deployment and harsh conditions on board. In recent WhatsApp conversations, a sailor described constant noise and vibration, saying, "I'm dead tired. Dead." The relative of one sailor aboard the ship told BBC News that their family member has lost 65lbs (29kg) since beginning their deployment.

Lawmakers Demand Answers from the Pentagon

Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal listed the reported hardships on the carrier in a letter to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing "shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns, and disruptions in the mail system." These reports "warrant immediate attention," Blumenthal wrote, adding that they also raise a broader question: whether the Navy can sustain the operational tempo now being demanded of its carrier force.

Navy Official Denies Suicidal Ideation and Suicides on Board

A Navy official told the BBC they had not identified an increase in reported suicidal ideation or suicide attempts aboard the ship. The official stated that "traditional supply hubs" had been "disrupted by combat actions" and that the Navy was currently prioritizing delivering "mission-critical supplies" to the ship.

Congressional Delegation Calls for Investigation

Fellow Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego called for the military to allow a congressional delegation to visit the ship and "conduct oversight investigation into this horrible situation." He posted on X, saying, "There is no reason to be denied access." California Congressman Mike Levin, a Democrat, summarized the issues on X as "moldy showers, broken toilets, laundry down for weeks, long stretches with no hot water, a meal that came down to half a cup of rice and two tortillas. No soap, deodorant, or toothpaste."

NRSA Investigates Possible Role of Aboboyaa in Deadly Ofankor Crash

Pentagon Defends Conditions on Board

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called reports of conditions "completely misrepresented." He told reporters in Panama that the government makes sure "every ship, every crew, every captain has everything we can provide them at every single moment." Hegseth added that some deployments are longer than others and that he has more respect and gratitude for those sailors than anybody.

A Study Reveals High Rates of Serious Psychological Distress

A study of 956 sailors released in January 2025 found that troops aboard US Navy ships suffer the highest rates of "serious psychological distress" in comparison to other branches of the US military. The study cited "unique stressors, such as poor habitability, noise, and demanding schedules that leave inadequate time for sleep and rest."

USS George Washington to Replace USS Abraham Lincoln

Multiple outlets reported that the US is preparing to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln with the USS George Washington as part of a previously scheduled rotation plan. No return date has been announced for the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Source: JOY