The confirmation came in a written response from US Navy Secretary Hung Cao to a US lawmaker following growing scrutiny over combat fatigue, extended isolation, and operational stress among personnel stationed aboard the vessel. According to a copy of the letter obtained by AFP, the USS Abraham Lincoln departed San Diego on November 21, 2025, operating in Middle Eastern waters from February 26, 2026, until August 20, 2026. During this period, eight service members attempted suicide, though naval officials confirmed that all individuals survived following immediate medical intervention. In one detailed incident from early August, a sailor assigned to an air wing fell overboard in an apparent suicide attempt but was rescued by a search-and-recovery helicopter crew before receiving specialized medical care off-ship. The disclosures follow widespread congressional debate over deployment conditions during Operation Epic Fury, which ultimately prompted the Trump administration to order the carrier's return to port in August.