Multiple USS Lincoln sailors tried to go overboard amid dire conditions – reports

Carrier rerouted to Mideast ahead of Iran war sets record for deployment length; Democrats demand probe into accounts of food shortages, broken plumbing, and mental health crises aboard USS Lincoln. Congressional Democrats demanded answers Wednesday about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, following reports of food shortages, broken plumbing, and mental health crises during its record-setting deployment of over 250 days without coming ashore in over 200 days. Senator Richard Blumenthal called for the Navy to account for conditions, noting widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns, and other problems aboard the Lincoln. US Senator Ruben Gallego also called for an official oversight visit to investigate the reported alarming conditions. The USS Abraham Lincoln departed San Diego, California on November 21, 2025, for duty in the South China Sea and was rerouted to the Middle East before US-Israeli attacks on Iran began on February 28. Family members clashed with Navy leadership over difficult conditions, including food shortages, demanding when loved ones would return home. Reports mention severe mental health issues and attempted suicides on board, citing moldy showers, sporadic hot water, rationed meals, broken toilets, and grueling 12- to 16-hour shifts with no days off. The US Navy did not immediately respond to a comment request.