Archive · 17 Aug 2026
US commander acknowledges mental health concerns aboard USS Abraham Lincoln
A very important Navy leader named Admiral Brad Cooper visited a big ship called the USS Abraham Lincoln.
The ship has been away from home for more than eight months.
During that time, the sailors on the ship have not been able to stop at a port for more than 200 days.
That is a very long time to be at sea.
The Admiral said the sailors work together really well and are very strong.
He also said the ship has fewer mental health problems than most other Navy ships.
But he told everyone that things are not perfect on the ship.
He said being at sea for a long time is very hard and tough for everyone.
He wants people to take care of their mental health just like they take care of their bodies.
He thanked the ship's leaders for making mental health and crew strength a big priority.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, visited the USS Abraham Lincoln and praised its crew's camaraderie, teamwork and resilience.
The carrier has been deployed for more than eight months and has spent more than 200 days without a port call.
Cooper said the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of mental health cases of the US Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers.
He cautioned that 'all is not perfect' and that prolonged service at sea is 'uniquely challenging and tough.'
The Lincoln left San Diego on November 21, arrived in the Middle East in January, and has supported US military operations since the war against Iran began on February 28.
- Who
- Admiral Brad Cooper, chief of US Central Command, and the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln.
- What
- The commander acknowledged mental health challenges aboard the carrier while praising the crew's resilience and leadership.
- When
- Following his visit to the carrier, which has been deployed for more than eight months and spent more than 200 days without a port call.
- Where
- Aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is operating in the Middle East.
- Why
- Prolonged service at sea is 'uniquely challenging and tough,' and mental health needs attention like physical and spiritual health.
Critics and reports
US Navy leadership
Conditions aboard the Lincoln
Critics and reports
Reports have raised concerns about morale, mental health and supply problems aboard the carrier during its long deployment.
US Navy leadership
Admiral Cooper says the Lincoln has among the lowest number of mental health cases among US carriers and praised the crew's camaraderie, teamwork and resilience.
- Aircraft carrier
- USS Abraham Lincoln
- Commander quoted
- Admiral Brad Cooper, US Central Command chief
- Deployment length
- More than 8 months
- Days without port call
- More than 200
- Crew size
- About 5,000 sailors and Marines
- Departure
- San Diego on November 21
- Arrival in Middle East
- January
- Mental health ranking
- Among the lowest of the US Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers