The Pentagon reported eight suicide attempts among U.S. sailors aboard the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group during its 286 consecutive days at sea. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said there were no suicides; it is unclear how many people made the attempts.
The nuclear-powered carrier, with roughly 5,000 personnel, took part in a U.S. naval blockade and combat operations in the war with Iran. The Lincoln and some supporting ships reached port in eastern Thailand earlier this month after deploying last November. Democratic lawmakers said the 286-day stretch set a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea.
Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the situation unacceptable, saying the administration could find taxpayer money for bombs, ballrooms and billionaires but not care for service members. Navy deployments typically last six to nine months but can be extended during conflict; mental-health issues on long deployments have long affected the service.
