Navy leadership met with family members of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier on Thursday, August 12, 2026, in San Diego to discuss concerns about worsening mental health and the risk of self-harm during the vessel's ongoing Middle East deployment.

Approximately 200 family members attended the in-person meeting, where they spoke with acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, Vice Adm. Douglas Verissimo, head of the Naval Air Forces, Vice Adm. Joseph Cahill, commander of the Naval Surface Forces, and other officials. All but Cao also participated in an online video call, according to Stars and Stripes.

Family members shared emotional stories, with one spouse accusing Navy leadership of a “broken trust between us and the leadership,” as reported by two attendees. While officials did not directly respond to such statements, they assured families that sailors have access to mental health workers, chaplains, and doctors. The Navy is also working to send additional mental health professionals to the ship.

The deployment has been unusually demanding due to the USS Abraham Lincoln being redirected to the Middle East in January after initially departing San Diego in November for a Pacific deployment. The roughly 5,000 service members aboard have faced food and water shortages and limited time off, with typical port calls every 30 to 45 days not occurring, according to family members and sailors.

Navy leadership emphasized their commitment to "listening to our families, supporting our servicemembers, and ensuring the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has the resources needed to safely and successfully accomplish its mission."

Sources