Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed that eight sailors assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group attempted suicide during a prolonged deployment to the Middle East.
The deployment originally began as a routine seven-month mission in the South China Sea in November 2025.
Military leadership redirected the strike group to the Arabian Sea in January shortly before the launch of Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
The naval vessels remained deployed in the region until late August when the USS George Washington relieved the strike group.
In an official letter sent to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Cao detailed specific incidents that occurred during the extended deployment.
One sailor went overboard from the aircraft carrier in early August and required an immediate rescue by helicopter.
A second service member attempted to jump overboard in March but was stopped by fellow shipmates.
The acting secretary emphasized in the disclosure that none of the eight suicide attempts resulted in a loss of life.
The strike group consists of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier alongside a guided missile cruiser and multiple destroyers.
The disclosure has sparked intense legislative oversight regarding military mental health and operational schedules.
Highlighting the severe burden placed on military personnel, the New York lawmaker issued a direct rebuke of the official response.
“Our troops and their families make immense sacrifices every single day, yet the president dismissed them with open disrespect,” according to CNN.
“That this administration can find endless taxpayer dollars for bombs, ballrooms and billionaires but cannot take care of our service members is completely unacceptable,” the senator added.
Defense officials face growing scrutiny as advocates demand improved mental health support for deployed naval forces.
Military leadership continues evaluating deployment durations to address psychological strain among service personnel.