US commander says mental health is a ‘priority’ aboard USS Lincoln amid concerns
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US commander says mental health is a ‘priority’ aboard USS Lincoln amid concerns
US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper has acknowledged the challenges of prolonged deployment aboard the USS Lincoln, while saying the carrier has among the lowest reported mental health cases in the US Navy.
Moneycontrol World Desk
August 17, 2026 / 09:45 IST
Mental health a ‘priority’ aboard USS Lincoln after reports of sailor distress: US commander
The top US military commander in the Middle East has acknowledged the mental health pressures facing sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, while saying the aircraft carrier has one of the lowest rates of reported mental health cases among the US Navy’s active carriers
Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, made the remarks after visiting the ship on Saturday. The Lincoln has been deployed in the Middle East for more than eight months and has spent over 240 consecutive days at sea while supporting US military operations against Iran
“Here’s an important fact: Of the U.S. Navy’s 11 active aircraft carriers, the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health,” Cooper said. He added that the figures did not mean conditions aboard the ship were perfect and acknowledged the difficulties associated with prolonged deployments
Cooper said mental health remained a priority for the ship’s leadership and praised efforts to strengthen crew resilience. “I’ve long believed that mental health is another aspect of individual health and requires our attention just like physical health and spiritual health.”
“I applaud Lincoln’s leadership for… stepping up and making mental health and crew resilience a leadership priority.”
The comments followed reports of worsening morale and mental health concerns among personnel aboard the carrier. Reports have alleged that some sailors attempted to go overboard, while families of crew members have raised concerns about the impact of the prolonged deployment
The Lincoln carries around 5,000 sailors and Marines and has reportedly remained at sea without a port call for more than 200 consecutive days
Reports of difficult conditions
The carrier has also faced reported problems involving sanitation, plumbing and food supplies. US Navy officials have acknowledged supply challenges but rejected claims that the ship was experiencing a mental health crisis
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has described reports about conditions aboard the carrier as “completely misrepresented”. President Donald Trump has also dismissed concerns that the deployment has lasted too long, saying on Friday: “Not nearly long enough.” The Lincoln’s deployment, originally expected to end in May, has been extended several times
USS George Washington to replace Lincoln
The USS George Washington is expected to replace the Lincoln in the Middle East and could reach the region within about a week. The changeover comes as the Lincoln continues its mission supporting US operations against Iran, including the blockade of Iranian ports
The prolonged deployment has drawn increasing scrutiny from lawmakers. Democratic senators have demanded answers from Hegseth over the reported conditions and sought details on the carrier’s relief and return schedule, medical re
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York, called for accountability over the reported conditions aboard the ship
“There must be accountability for the reported deteriorating conditions endured by our service members serving in a reckless war started with no justification, no strategy, and no end in sight.” “I demand hearings, accountability, and a clear plan to protect our service members and prioritize American families,” she said
Moneycontrol World Desk
first published: Aug 17, 2026 09:45 am
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Pragya Trivedi
