US Commander Prioritizes Mental Health on USS Lincoln After Sailor Suicide Attempts
Admiral Brad Cooper, a U.S. commander, traveled to the USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, stationed in the Arabian Sea to address rising worries regarding the crew's mental well-being during an extended deployment that has surpassed 200 days without a port visit. This trip came after family members reported alarming conditions on board, such as food shortages, contaminated water, mouldy showers, and lengthy wartime shifts. Some families claimed that the situation had become so dire that sailors had attempted to jump overboard. Cooper characterized his visit as 'awe-inspiring' and commended the crew's 'resilience.' He stated that mental health is equally as vital as physical and spiritual health, highlighting the military's commitment to mental health support during extended deployments amidst growing public concern.
Key facts
- Admiral Brad Cooper visited the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.
- The carrier has been deployed without a port call for more than 200 days.
- Family members reported food shortages, water contamination, mouldy showers, and long shifts.
- Some sailors allegedly attempted to throw themselves overboard.
- Cooper called his visit 'awe-inspiring' and praised the crew's 'resilience'.
- Cooper emphasized that mental health requires attention like physical and spiritual health.
- The visit was prompted by outrage among family members about conditions aboard.
- An F/A-18E Super Hornet launched from the flight deck on July 31.
Entities
Institutions
- US Navy
- USS Abraham Lincoln
Locations
- Arabian Sea