Sailors Attempt to Go Overboard as USS Abraham Lincoln Passes 260 Days Deployed

Several sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln tried to go overboard during August as the aircraft carrier's deployment in the Middle East passed 260 days at sea.

The ship left port in late 2025 and has been operating in the Red Sea and surrounding waters. Families of crew members held a town hall on August 11 to press the Navy for answers about conditions on board. By August 13 members of Congress had sent formal letters demanding information.

The first reported incident took place around August 3. Multiple attempts followed in the days after. Navy officials confirmed that incidents had occurred and said mental health support resources are available to sailors on deployment.

Families say the length of the deployment, which shows no sign of ending, has put the crew under severe strain. The Red Sea region has remained an active operating area through 2026, with naval vessels regularly called on to respond to threats.

USS Abraham Lincoln is a Nimitz-class carrier based at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.