US Senator Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut) sent a letter Wednesday to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao demanding a formal inquiry into conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier now in its ninth month of continuous deployment, following reports that several sailors stationed on the vessel had attempted to jump overboard.
Senator demands inquiry into USS Abraham Lincoln conditions after sailors attempt to jump overboard
US Senator Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut) sent a letter Wednesday to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao demanding a formal inquiry into conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier now in its ninth month of continuous deployment, following reports that several sailors stationed on the vessel had attempted to jump overboard.
Navy Times and Stars and Stripes, two US newspapers covering military affairs, originally reported earlier this week on the overboard attempts and on conditions aboard the ship. The Lincoln departed San Diego in November 2025, was initially deployed to the South China Sea, and was later rerouted to the Middle East ahead of the start of Operation Epic Fury in February 2026.
Blumenthal, who served in the US Marine Corps Reserve, set a two-week deadline — until August 27 — for the Navy to respond to his questions. Those questions cover the rationale for the Lincoln's extended deployment, how the Navy evaluates crew mental health and morale, what military objective the deployment is meant to achieve, and how the Department of Defense determines whether the carrier's continued presence remains necessary.
The letter cited reports of supply shortages, water contamination, and other quality-of-life problems on board. Stars and Stripes reported that Cao and other senior Navy officials held a town-hall-style meeting with Lincoln crew members' families late last week, during which one spouse told officials that her husband had messaged her saying 'he hopes he doesn't wake up tomorrow.' According to Stars and Stripes, officials did not directly address that statement or similar ones raised by family members, but said those aboard the Lincoln had access to mental health professionals, chaplains, and doctors.
Navy Times reported that Cao told family members the Navy is preparing the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group to relieve the Lincoln, but could not provide a timeline because of what he described as 'operational security' concerns.
- The source does not state the total number of sailors who have attempted to jump overboard from the Lincoln.
- The source does not state what medical or disciplinary actions, if any, have been taken regarding the sailors who attempted to jump overboard.
- The source does not include any on-the-record response from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or the Department of Defense to Blumenthal's letter.
- The source does not state the current operational status of the USS Theodore Roosevelt or an estimated timeline for its deployment to relieve the Lincoln.
- The source does not specify what 'supply shortages' and 'water contamination' issues aboard the Lincoln consisted of beyond the brief reference in Blumenthal's letter.
- The source does not state whether the bipartisan Senate Delegation oversight visit proposed by Gallego has been formally scheduled or approved.
Read the original at The Jerusalem Post