Hegseth disputes reports of declining morale on USS Abraham Lincoln
Defense secretary said that reports about poor conditions aboard the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East were “completely misrepresented.”
The USS Abraham Lincoln has become the focus of growing scrutiny after lawmakers and two military-focused media outlets reported on suicide attempts and declining morale on the 5,000-person aircraft carrier.
The carrier has been at sea since November 2025, and the reports raised concerns about living conditions and morale during its lengthy deployment in the Middle East.
The Navy, U.S. Central Command and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have pushed back against claims of personnel problems aboard the ship, saying reports had been “completely misrepresented.”
“We make sure every ship, every crew, every captain has everything we can provide them at every single moment. Some deployments are longer than others, and I have more respect and gratitude for those sailors than anybody. What they do in those high seas in those austere conditions with less port calls – it’s incredible,” Hegseth told reporters during a visit to Panama on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Why is the USS Abraham Lincoln in the news?
Questions about conditions aboard the aircraft carrier intensified this week after reports from Navy Times and Stars and Stripes detailed concerns about sailors’ well-being during the ship’s record-setting deployment.
The reports cited concerns from family members about declining morale, while lawmakers pointed to reports of supply shortages, plumbing issues, water contamination, moldy showers, broken toilets and mail delivery disruptions.
The scrutiny increased after a sailor went overboard earlier this month. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed in an X post on Aug. 13 that a sailor fell overboard on Aug. 3 and was “quickly and safely recovered.”
Three U.S. officials told CNN that the sailor, who was wearing a life vest, was rescued within an hour and was not injured. The sailor was recovered by an air wing search and rescue helicopter, treated by the ship’s medical department and transferred off ship for follow-up care.
CENTCOM denies a “spike” in suicidal ideations aboard the vessel. And in the Aug. 13 X post, CENTCOM said “the rampant misreporting on Abraham Lincoln’s historic deployment is a disservice to our men and women in uniform and their loved ones.” CENTCOM told USA TODAY via email that the entity has no more information to add beyond its X post.
USA TODAY reached out to the U.S. Navy for comment about conditions board the USS Abraham Lincoln on Aug. 14.
What is the USS Abraham Lincoln?
The USS Abraham Lincoln, or USS Lincoln, is a 5,000-person Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. These carriers “support and operate aircraft that engage in attacks on airborne, afloat and ashore targets that threaten free use of the sea and engage in sustained power projection operations in support of U.S. and coalition forces,” according to the U.S. Navy website.
The Lincoln also engages in maritime security operations to prohibit threats to merchant shipping and provides capabilities for disaster response and humanitarian assistance, the U.S. Navy website continues.
When was the USS Lincoln first deployed?
The USS Lincoln was first deployed in May 1991 and has since been deployed 15 times, as recorded by US Carriers.net. The ship’s most recent deployment began from San Diego on Nov. 21, 2025.
What is the USS Lincoln’s current deployment?
The USS Lincoln was most recently deployed from San Diego on Nov. 21, 2025. The ship has been in the Middle East since January, supporting the U.S. in its war with Iran. Specifically, the ship was a part of President Donald Trump’s Operation Epic Fury, a U.S.-Israeli military campaign that began in February to strike thousands of targets in a bid to destroy Iran’s offensive missile infrastructure, per the U.S. Department of State. The campaign concluded in May.
The ship has been deployed for more than 250 days, according to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, in the senator’s letter to Hegseth and the Navy.
What is happening aboard the USS Lincoln?
Concerns are mounting over conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln as Democratic lawmakers press the Pentagon for answers.
“There have been widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns and disruptions in the mail system,” Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote in his Aug. 12 letter.
A day later, four California House members sent a similar letter to Hegseth and Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, citing complaints about moldy showers, broken toilets, limited hot water, supply shortages and a lack of fresh produce.
The Navy disputes claims that sailors’ mental health has worsened during the deployment.
“We have not observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts aboard the ship,” the Navy said in a statement to CNN, adding that medical, religious and mental health resources are available to crew members.
What happens next?
The USS Abraham Lincoln’s deployment could be nearing its end.
A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Reuters and The Wall Street Journal that the USS George Washington is headed to the region and is expected to replace the Lincoln as part of a previously planned rotation.
Contributing: Reuters
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.