USS Abraham Lincoln Nears 9-Month Deployment Record as Crew Reports Morale Crisis
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 14
USS Abraham Lincoln Nears 9-Month Deployment Record as Crew Reports Morale Crisis
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 14
Summary
Nearly nine months after leaving San Diego, the USS Abraham Lincoln remains at sea with sailors and families describing very low morale, suicidal ideation concerns, and shortages of food, hygiene items and reliable hot water.
The strain has grown because combat operations and blockade duties have largely prevented port calls since a December 11 stop in Guam, while two sailors from the strike group recently went overboard and were rescued alive.
The Navy said it has not observed an increase in suicidal thoughts or attempts aboard the ship and has mental health, medical and religious staff available, even as Sen. Richard Blumenthal demanded answers.
Carrier deployments have stretched well beyond the Navy's 210-day target since the October 2023 Israel-Hamas war, and the Lincoln could surpass the USS Gerald R. Ford's 326-day post-Vietnam record before reaching California.
That pattern reflects a broader fleet squeeze: only 11 U.S. carriers are available, maintenance limits readiness, and delays to new Ford-class ships could force more extended deployments and worsen retention pressures.