USS Lincoln leaders making mental health ‘a priority’ during long deployment: US commander

USS Abraham Lincoln's crew aboard the aircraft carrier is receiving attention for their mental health amid a long deployment in the Iran war, according to US Admiral Brad Cooper. The carrier, which has been at sea for over 200 days without a port call, has faced complaints from families regarding food shortages, water contamination, moldy showers and long shifts.

Reports have even suggested that some sailors have attempted to take their own lives. However, Cooper noted that the Lincoln "currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health" among the US Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers. He emphasized that while the situation isn't perfect, long-term sea service is not suitable for everyone.

Cooper described his visit to the carrier as "awe-inspiring" and praised the crew's resilience, stating that mental health, like physical and spiritual health, is a priority for the military. The ship's senior leaders are making mental health and crew resilience a leadership priority. The Trump Administration has downplayed concerns over the ship's conditions, stating that the families of the crew are not worried, as the deployment has not been as long as families feared.

However, the US Navy typically plans for seven-month deployments, and the Lincoln has been at sea for about nine months, including months of combat operations in the Iran war. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed reports about conditions on the ship, calling them "completely misrepresented."