Key facts
- US Navy veteran Jonny Burnell described the psychological impact of long deployments on warships.
- Concerns have been raised about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, including food shortages and exhaustion.
- Military officials dispute the severity of the reported issues, while some families express worry about sailors' mental health.
- President Trump dismissed reports of problems on the Lincoln, calling the deployment "not nearly long enough."
- US Central Command stated the Lincoln has a low number of mental health cases compared to other carriers.
- A previous investigation into the USS George Washington found poor living conditions contributed to mental health issues and suicides.
Concerns are mounting over the conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed in the Middle East since December 11. Reports from military publications suggest sailors are enduring food shortages, broken plumbing, and exhaustion, leading to worries about their mental health and instances of sailors reportedly attempting to jump overboard.
However, military officials and some veterans dispute the severity of these claims. Retired Navy Lt Commander Steve Rogers, Director of the Association of the United States Navy (AUSN), described the media reports as "99% hype" and stated that troops are well-prepared for their deployment. President Trump also dismissed the reports, remarking that the deployment is "not nearly long enough."
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, stated that the USS Abraham Lincoln has among the lowest numbers of mental health cases compared to other active aircraft carriers. He acknowledged that long periods at sea are challenging and require attention to mental, physical, and spiritual health.
US Navy veteran Jonny Burnell, who served aboard the USS Carl Vinson in 2001, shared his experiences of prolonged deployments, describing a "sadness" and "deadness" in shipmates' eyes. He recalled the constant noise and confined living spaces, referring to the ship as a "floating prison."
A relative of a sailor on the Lincoln reported significant weight loss and exhaustion due to constant noise and vibrations. While a CNN crew visiting the ship last month did not find widespread issues, some troops mentioned rationing food over "many months."
The USS George Washington is scheduled to relieve the Lincoln. This replacement ship has a history of mental health challenges, including a spate of suicides in 2022 that led to an investigation finding poor living conditions contributed to the deaths. A 2023 Navy report acknowledged that standards had slipped, letting people down.
Dr. Harold Kudler, former head of mental health policy for the US Veterans Administration, noted that isolation, boredom, and prolonged periods of high alertness at sea can exacerbate mental health struggles. He supports calls for an investigation into the situation on the Lincoln, emphasizing that the ship's capability is directly tied to the crew's well-being.