00:02This morning, we're learning eight U.S. service members attempted suicide during the USS Abraham
00:08Lincoln strike group's extraordinarily long deployment. Acting Navy Secretary Hong Kao
00:13confirmed the number in a letter to Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand this week.
00:17The eight attempts have happened across the Lincoln strike group since it left San Diego
00:22last November, two during active fighting with Iran. No suicides have occurred on board.
00:28The Lincoln has now been deployed for more than nine months, far longer than originally planned,
00:34with much of that time spent supporting the war with Iran. And for months, families have been
00:38raising concerns about conditions on board, including food and supply problems, faulty
00:44plumbing and the mental health of the crew. The Pentagon has pushed back on reports of a mental
00:49health crisis, saying it has not seen an increase in suicide attempts and that counselors, chaplains
00:55and other support are available. The Navy also sent additional counselors and social workers
01:00to the ship last month. The Lincoln has now been replaced in the Middle East by the USS George
01:06Washington and is heading back towards San Diego after stops in Thailand and Guam.
