8 Navy Members Attempted Suicide During USS Lincoln’s Lengthy Deployment:

Eight Navy members tried to kill themselves during the extended deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln during the Iran war, according to a new report.

NBC News cited a letter it obtained that was written by Navy Secretary Hung Cao to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. as the source for its report. Concerns had been raised by different lawmakers about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier after it was at sea for 286 straight days without a port stop.

Deployments typically last about six months and usually include regular stops to replenish supplies, like food. The letter was sent to Gillibrand after she asked for information regarding the state of the Lincoln during the lengthy deployment.

The total number of suicide attempts is for the entire strike group and included sailors from the carrier air wing; destroyer squadron staff; escorting destroyers; and all embarked aviation squadrons. About 7,500 service members, primarily sailors, are part of the strike group.

In August, ABC News reported that Cao held a town hall for families of the USS Lincoln who were concerned about deteriorating conditions on the ship and the mental health of crew members.

When President Donald Trump was asked about the Lincoln at the time he said the ship was in the process of being moved to port and replaced with another ship. When asked about the record-setting time at sea and the length of the deployment, he said that it wasn’t “nearly long enough.”

In two of the suicide attempts, Navy members jumped overboard.

One of the Navy members who jumped overboard faced disciplinary action and was accused of “malingering,” or faking an illness. “I think they’re insane for doing this to people who need mental help,” the wife of the Navy member told MS NOW. “Instead of giving them help, this is just another huge stressor.”