The U.S. military is forcefully pushing back against what it calls “false” reports that a deadly brawl among sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln killed seven service members and that suicidal ideations have spiked during the carrier’s extended deployment to the Middle East.
In a statement issued Thursday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged that “multiple media outlets” had published claims about the carrier’s deployment that it said were inaccurate, including an alleged rise in suicidal thoughts among the crew and a fight that left seven sailors dead.
“These reports are FALSE,” CENTCOM said, using all-caps for emphasis. The command did not mince words, calling the claims “rampant misreporting” that does a disservice to the sailors and Marines aboard the ship and their families.
The denials come after Iranian media outlets first circulated the story about a deadly brawl, which was then picked up and repeated across various Asian news organizations, according to CENTCOM. The command did not identify the specific outlets but stressed that no service members aboard the carrier have died during the deployment.
Military: No Deaths, One Overboard Incident Recovered
In its statement, CENTCOM pushed back on multiple fronts, asserting that the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group remains “resilient and resolved” after more than 260 days at sea, conducting over 10,000 aircraft flights and expending 1.5 million pounds of ordnance. The command also highlighted that the carrier’s crew reenlistment rate exceeds 84%, which it said is the highest in the Navy.
“No service members aboard the aircraft carrier have died, and the one Sailor who fell overboard Aug. 3 was quickly and safely recovered,” the statement read.
The military’s response comes after the Military Times reported earlier this week that two sailors had attempted to jump overboard during the deployment. Annabelle Loma told the outlet that her husband was placed on a medical hold after attempting to jump off the carrier. She said her husband feared a dishonorable discharge would end his 13-year career.
“He’s scared. He thinks he’ll get a dishonorable discharge, and just because he was burnt out, his 13-year career is ruined, just like that,” Loma said. “That’s not fair, that’s not right. That’s not what he should be worrying about right now.”
Other reports from the carrier have cited plumbing problems, mold in showers, water contamination, and food shortages, painting a picture of a ship under strain after an unusually long deployment.
Secretary of Defense Weighs In
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addressed the controversy Thursday, saying that some of the reporting on conditions aboard the Lincoln had been “completely misrepresented.” However, he acknowledged the difficulty of such a long deployment.
“Americans don’t understand what it’s like to do that,” Hegseth said, referencing the extended time at sea. “As someone who’s — not been on a ship like that — but been on long deployments, I feel it. I want them home as soon as everybody else.”
Hegseth said the military is working to rotate crews as quickly as possible and expressed gratitude for the sailors’ dedication.
“To that crew and to all those crews, we’re going to do everything we can for you and we are so grateful for their dedication,” he said.
Replacement Carrier on the Way
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed for over 250 days, and the USS George Washington is now en route to replace it. The lengthy deployment has become a focal point for criticism, even as the Navy insists the crew remains effective and mission-ready.
CENTCOM’s statement sought to counter the narrative of a morale crisis, pointing to the high reenlistment rate as evidence of crew satisfaction and resilience. Still, the reports from family members and servicemen raise questions about the toll of extended operations, even as military leaders insist the claims of violence and mental health crises are exaggerated.
The carrier has been a key asset in U.S. operations in the region amid ongoing tensions with Iran, playing a central role in the Navy’s presence in the Middle East. As the deployment stretches on, the Pentagon’s challenge will be balancing operational demands with the wellbeing of its personnel.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-military-responds-to-disturbing-claims-coming-from-american-warship