U.S. Military Responds To Disturbing Claims Coming From American Warship

The American military denied claims that a deadly fight broke out between sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln amid its lengthy deployment to the Middle East as the war with Iran carries on. 

U.S. Central Command said Thursday that claims about a rise in suicidal ideations on the aircraft carrier and a supposed fight among American sailors that killed seven were false. The statement came after reports that two sailors had attempted to jump overboard during the deployment and reports of poor conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln.

“Over the past 48 hours, multiple media outlets have reported several false claims related to USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) deployment to the Middle East,” Central Command said. “One report alleged seven Sailors died in a brawl aboard the aircraft carrier and others have recently suggested a spike in suicidal ideations. These reports are FALSE.”

The claim about American soldiers killing each other originated with Iranian news outlets and was repeated across Asian media outlets.

Central Command also pushed back on reports of low morale, saying that the vessel crew reenlistment rate of over 84%, the highest in the Navy. 

“The Sailors and Marines of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group remain resilient and resolved after more than 260 days at sea, 10,000 aircraft flights, and 1.5 million pounds of ordnance expended,” Central Command said. “No service members aboard the aircraft carrier have died, and the one Sailor who fell overboard Aug. 3 was quickly and safely recovered. The rampant misreporting on Abraham Lincoln’s historic deployment is a disservice to our men and women in uniform and their loved ones.”

The statement from Central Command came after the Military Times reported earlier this week that two sailors attempted to jump overboard. Annabelle Loma said her husband was placed on a medical hold after he attempted to jump off the aircraft carrier. 

“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. That’s not fair, that’s not right. That’s not what he should be worrying about right now,” she said.

Other reports from the carrier have pointed to plumbing issues, moldy showers, water, contamination, and food shortages.

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington is on its way to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for over 250 days. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Thursday that some of the reporting concerning the conditions on Lincoln had been “completely misrepresented,” but said he understood it was difficult to be deployed so long. 

“Americans don’t understand what it’s like to do that,” he said. “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. I want folks rotated as quickly as possible … 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.”