Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao has defended the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, acknowledging a "small number" of mental health crises occurred during their extended deployment but emphasizing that no service members died.
Cao stated on social media that the USS Abraham Lincoln "crushed their deployment" and is returning home as part of a planned rotation. He asserted that "the safety and security of our Sailors and Marines always comes first," outlining his leadership principles as "Mission accomplishment. Troop Welfare."
Reports had emerged detailing difficult conditions aboard the carrier for its 5,000 sailors and Marines. The Navy Times reported at least two sailors were prevented from jumping overboard. In response, Cao noted that "a small number of mental health cases were treated with no loss of life" and that meal plans were adjusted when resupply was unavailable, ensuring "not a single meal being missed."
The ship's deployment began November 21, 2025, exceeding the typical six-month tour. Cao defended the extended mission, stating "the mission demanded" it. He characterized deployments as difficult, especially during combat operations, and acknowledged that "War is hell and normal routines are disrupted."
Cao pushed back against media coverage, accusing outlets of "trying to paint our warriors as victims" and diverting focus from the threats faced by the nation. He highlighted the USS Abraham Lincoln's operational statistics, noting 266 days deployed, 200 of which were in a combat zone, with 10,000 sorties launched and 1.5 million pounds of ordnance dropped during the war with Iran that began in February.
"There is no question our young men and women have been pushed to their limits—but they have never broken," Cao wrote.
This situation has prompted questions from lawmakers regarding the Navy's capacity to sustain long carrier deployments while maintaining service member well-being and fleet readiness. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) previously raised concerns in a letter to Cao and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the broader implications for sustainable carrier force generation and response capabilities.
President Trump, when asked about the extended deployment, stated that the ship was moving and being replaced, adding that it had "not nearly long enough" away from home given the confrontation with Iran.