오랜 파견에 승조원 투신 시도…미, ‘작전 9개월’ 링컨함 교체 착수

Overseas deployments in the ongoing conflict with Iran have left stationed airmen experiencing worsening mental health issues due to prolonged living conditions aboard U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. The U.S. military has decided to replace the Lincoln aircraft carrier, which has been on a mission for nine months, with the George Washington carrier.

The Lincoln carrier, which embarked from San Diego in November last year, has been on continuous operations in the Middle East for nearly nine months, marking the longest period of uninterrupted sea travel in modern naval history. The prolonged stay in the Gulf region has exacerbated mental health and living conditions issues among the crew.

CNN reported that a sailor jumped into the sea from the Lincoln carrier, but was safely rescued by a rescue helicopter within an hour. Multiple attempts of self-harm and suicidal thoughts have been reported by other crew members. The New York Times has documented several cases of crew members attempting to jump into the sea and a sailor attempting to commit suicide.

The spouses of Lincoln carrier crew members have expressed their concerns at a town hall meeting in San Diego last month, urging Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and the Navy Secretary-designate to address their worries. Democrats have criticized the treatment of the crew members, with Senator Richard Blumenthal sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the Navy Secretary-designate, highlighting issues such as insufficient basic supplies, contaminated water, plumbing problems, mental health deterioration, safety concerns at the bridge, and delays in mail delivery.

Senator Ruben Gallego plans to lead a delegation to visit the Lincoln carrier to inspect its living conditions. The U.S. government denies that the decision to return the Lincoln carrier was made before the crew's living conditions became a concern. The Navy maintains that there has been no increase in mental health issues or suicide attempts on the Lincoln carrier. Admiral Austin dismissed the media reports as "completely inaccurate."