Desperate US sailors trying to jump overboard on extended Middle East deployment, families say | The Independent

Swipe for next article

Desperate US sailors trying to jump overboard on extended Middle East deployment, families say<br>Concerns have been raised about conditions on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, with claims of food shortages and sailors’ mental health struggles

Bookmark

Comments<br>Go to comments

Bookmark popover<br>Removed from bookmarks<br>Close popover

Trump demands compensation from Iran in snub to six-point ultimatum

Your support helps us to tell the story<br>Read more

Support Now

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<br>At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<br>The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<br>Your support makes all the difference.

Read more

Desperate sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln have tried to jump overboard during an extended deployment in the Middle East, their families say.<br>The aircraft carrier, crewed by around 5,000 sailors and Marines, has been deployed since November 21 but more lately has been supporting U.S. military operations in the war with Iran. The deployment had been expected to end in May but has been extended with no current return date, families told The Military Times.<br>Annabelle Loma, the wife of a sailor serving on the Abraham Lincoln, told the publication her husband is now on medical hold after trying to jump from the carrier.

“He’s scared,” Loma said. “He thinks he’ll get a dishonorable discharge and, just because he was burnt out, his 13-year career is ruined, just like that.”<br>open image in gallery

Sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln have reportedly tried to throw themselves overboard amid an extended deployment in the Middle East (US Navy)<br>Loma added that she is trying to put on a “happy face” for her children but that she feels like she could “break down” every day.

Maria Rodriguez, another sailor’s wife, says that her husband prevented another man from jumping overboard. Rodriguez told The Military Times her husband held the shipmate’s arms and hauled them onto the deck, with three other sailors eventually running to help.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Navy told The Independent that it knows “extended deployments place a significant strain on our service members and their families, and we are grateful for the resilience and sacrifices they make in support of our nation’s security.”<br>“The health and well-being of every Sailor aboard Abraham Lincoln is a priority,” the spokesperson continued. “Based on information available to the command, we have not identified an increase in reported suicidal ideation or suicide attempts aboard the ship.”

The spokesperson added that religious, medical and mental health professionals are available when concerns arise.<br>“Lincoln is providing a comprehensive support network, including onboard deployment-resilience counselors, chaplains, Fleet and Family Support Center services, Military OneSource, and medical professionals,” the spokesperson continued. “Lincoln is operating in a highly contested environment where traditional supply hubs in the Middle East were disrupted by combat actions.

“In response, leadership prioritized mission-critical supplies: first food, then hygiene items, then mail,” the spokesperson concluded. “Current reports from the ship confirm continuous access to clean water, functional AC, and healthy meal options.”<br>open image in gallery

US Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao (center) says that the USS Theodore Roosevelt will be deployed to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln (AFP/Getty)<br>Concerns were raised by family members during a town hall meeting last week with Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao. One wife told Navy officials that her husband sent her a message saying that he “hopes he doesn’t wake up tomorrow,” one attendee told Stars and Stripes. The outlet said it had spoken to multiple active-duty sailors and their families who described exhaustion and low morale on board.<br>Recordings of last Thursday’s meeting reviewed by MSNOW showed family members raising concerns over their loved ones’ mental health, as well as worries over a lack of supplies, food shortages, water contamination and safety on deck.<br>Secretary Cao told attendees the USS Theodore Roosevelt is being...