Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said that eight sailors assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during its lengthy deployment in the Middle East. The Lincoln, currently en route to its home port of San Diego, has been deployed for more than 300 days and will likely remain at sea for another two weeks before returning to the United States. The aircraft carrier's current deployment began on Nov. 21, 2025. Cao revealed the number of suicide attempts in a letter to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, responding to questions about the well-being of the Lincoln's crew. The letter, obtained by USA TODAY, was first reported by CNN.