The top leader for U.S. Central Command visited the crew of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln on Saturday after reports emerged of deteriorating mental health and declining morale aboard the ship.<\/p>\n
Adm. Brad Cooper met with sailors and Marines after Military Times learned<\/a> that two service members attempted to jump overboard during the Lincoln\u2019s extended deployment of more than 260 days.<\/p>\n \u201cOf the U.S. Navy\u2019s 11 active aircraft carriers, the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health,\u201d Cooper said in a social media statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cooper conceded that not everything was perfect aboard the ship and that service at sea is challenging and affects each sailor differently.<\/p>\n Cooper\u2019s visit came during a 10-day trip to the Middle East that saw him meet with civilian and military leaders from six countries, including Israel and Iraq.<\/p>\n Cooper last visited the Lincoln in February near the start of Operation Epic Fury.<\/p>\n Family members of service members aboard the Lincoln raised concerns on Aug. 6 during a town-hall meeting with Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao and other senior military officials.<\/p>\n Roughly 200 in-person attendees described<\/a> worries that their loved ones were experiencing thoughts of self-harm during an extended deployment in which sailors haven\u2019t had a port call in over 240 days.<\/p>\n The Lincoln stopped in Guam in December 2025 for a port call and then again for one in July in Oman.<\/p>\n Sen. Richard Blumenthal said<\/a> in a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that it was the longest continuous days at sea between port calls in Navy history.<\/p>\n Several other news outlets reported on sailors trying to flee the ship.<\/p>\n U.S. officials allegedly told<\/a> CNN that a sailor went overboard on the Lincoln and was rescued within the hour.<\/p>\n Stars and Stripes reported<\/a> an incident in which a crew member was intercepted by other service members before attempting to jump overboard.<\/p>\n