Eight sailors assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during an extended deployment that included sustained combat operations against Iran, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao disclosed in a letter to Congress.

Cao's letter, sent in response to questions from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand about morale and mental health aboard the strike group, said no service members died by suicide during the deployment. Between 6,000 and 7,000 sailors were deployed across roughly half a dozen ships as part of the Lincoln group, with the carrier itself kept out of port for more than six months while conducting a high rate of combat missions.

'Incredibly High' — or Roughly Average?

One U.S. military official told CNN that eight attempted suicides is "incredibly high," noting that recent carrier strike group deployments have typically seen only one or two. But the Navy has characterized the rate as roughly consistent with that of the entire active-duty Navy in 2024, the most recent year for which the Pentagon has published fleetwide suicide data.

EIGHT ATTEMPTED SUICIDES IS INCREDIBLY HIGH.

The disclosure adds to long-running concerns in Congress about mental health resources for sailors on extended deployments, particularly those tied to active combat operations. Lawmakers have previously pushed the Navy to appoint dedicated psychological health directors aboard carrier strike groups to expand access to counseling at sea.

The Navy has not detailed what additional mental health resources, if any, it deployed aboard the Lincoln group in response to the attempts, or whether the strike group's deployment length will be shortened. Cao's letter did not specify when the eight incidents occurred during the deployment.

If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text, 24/7.