The families of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln say conditions have worsened during an extended deployment, reporting food shortages, moldy showers and scarce toiletries. Relatives and some crew members say several sailors have attempted or gone overboard amid rising mental health concerns. U.S. Central Command and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dispute parts of the reporting while confirming one overboard incident on Aug. 3. The crew reportedly left San Diego on Nov. 21 and have had only two days ashore.
Families Raise Alarm Over Food Shortages and Mental Health Crisis Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln
USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea in February. / Handout / Getty Images
Relatives of sailors serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln say conditions on the ship have deteriorated during an extended deployment tied to operations against Iran. Family members and some crew describe limited food, shortages of basic toiletries, and worsening mental health among sailors, claims that have prompted public concern and official denials.
Allegations From Families and Crew
According to interviews collected by MS NOW and reporting in other outlets, roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard the Lincoln have entered the ninth month of a deployment that began when the ship left San Diego on Nov. 21. Relatives say the crew have had only two days ashore — once in December and once in July — and that conditions on board have declined, with reports of mold in showers and shortages of food and personal items such as toothpaste, deodorant and soap.
A photo composite of the USS Abraham Lincoln and images of the food being served on board during deployment. / The Daily Beast/US Navy/X
One family member told MS NOW a sailor was surviving on "half a cup of rice and two tortillas" a day. Another relative summed up the practical needs of sailors: "They want our support. They need the tools to do their jobs — that means fuel, food, toothpaste and deodorant. That means all of it."
Overboard Incidents and Mental Health Concerns
Family members and some media reports say several sailors have allegedly attempted or gone overboard in apparent suicide attempts. One sailor reportedly spent about an hour in the water before being rescued and later received medical evaluation. His wife, speaking anonymously to MS NOW, shared a text he sent describing how the conditions were affecting him: he wrote that he could no longer "keep up my peace act anymore" and that a hoped-for departure from the area was delayed.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has denied the reports. / Evelyn Hockstein / REUTERS
"I think the boat is finally getting to me and I really don't think I can keep up my peace act anymore," a sailor texted his wife, according to MS NOW.
Another spouse, speaking to the Military Times, said the ship's ombudsman told her her husband had attempted to jump overboard and that she has had only limited contact with him since the incident. Relatives told reporters that some sailors felt dismissed when they raised mental health concerns with command or medical staff.
Official Response
U.S. Central Command issued a statement calling various media reports and family accounts "false claims," while acknowledging that one sailor went overboard on Aug. 3 and was "quickly and safely recovered." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also publicly disputed some of the accounts, saying they "completely misrepresented" the situation. The Daily Beast has contacted the Defense Department and the White House for comment.
At this time, reporting includes conflicting accounts from family members, media outlets and official statements. Several outlets continue to follow the story and seek confirmation from military authorities.
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