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USS Lincoln deployment (Img: AI Generated)
New Delhi: The top US military commander in the Middle East has highlighted mental health as a major priority aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln following reports of difficult conditions faced by sailors during its extended deployment.
After visiting the warship on Saturday, Admiral Brad Cooper said the USS Lincoln had one of the lowest numbers of reported mental health cases among the 11 active US aircraft carriers. However, he acknowledged that long-duration naval deployments are extremely challenging and place significant pressure on service members.
The USS Lincoln has been deployed in the Middle East since January and has supported US military operations against Iran, including efforts related to the blockade of Iranian ports. The aircraft carrier has reportedly spent more than 240 consecutive days at sea, setting a record for uninterrupted deployment time.
The USS George Washington is expected to replace the USS Lincoln and could reach the region within about a week.
Concerns about sailors’ mental health increased after family members reportedly raised alarms over worsening conditions aboard the vessel. Some reports suggested that a few sailors had attempted to jump overboard, though the Navy has not confirmed a broader mental health crisis.
Admiral Cooper said mental health should be treated as an essential part of overall wellbeing, alongside physical and spiritual health. He praised the USS Lincoln’s leadership for making crew resilience and mental health support a priority.
The US Navy recently acknowledged logistical and supply challenges on the ship but rejected claims of a mental health emergency among the nearly 5,000 personnel stationed aboard.
Reports from Military Times and Stars and Stripes highlighted concerns about poor sanitation, plumbing issues, limited fresh food supplies, and a lack of regular port visits during the extended mission.
The deployment has also drawn political attention. Thirteen Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee sent a letter to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth questioning the unusually long mission and demanding details about the conditions faced by sailors.
Hegseth dismissed reports about poor conditions as inaccurate, while President Donald Trump also rejected concerns that the sailors had spent too much time at sea.
The USS Lincoln’s deployment was originally scheduled to end in May but was extended multiple times. Reports indicate that many crew members have remained at sea for more than 200 consecutive days without a port visit.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a former US Army officer, described the reported conditions as concerning and urged greater attention toward the wellbeing of service members.
