The USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, has been deployed for over 250 consecutive days without a port call, the longest such stretch for a U.S. carrier in the modern era. The crew of more than 5,000 sailors and Marines has faced extreme mental and physical strain, with multiple reports of sailors attempting to jump overboard.
According to Navy officials, the extended deployment was ordered to maintain presence in the Middle East amid heightened tensions. The last port visit was in July 2025, and the carrier has been operating in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas. The Navy has implemented additional mental health resources, including chaplains and counselors, but the prolonged isolation has taken a toll.
Experts point to historical and scientific evidence that long periods at sea can cause severe psychological effects. Homer's Odyssey, written nearly 3,000 years ago, describes sailors' longing for home, and modern research confirms that isolation, monotony, and lack of personal space can lead to depression and suicidal ideation. A 2021 study in the Journal of Occupational Health found that naval personnel on extended deployments report higher rates of anxiety and depression.
The Navy has not officially confirmed the number of suicide attempts, but several sailors' families have spoken to media, urging the Navy to shorten the deployment. The carrier is expected to return to its home port in San Diego later this month, but no official date has been set.
