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8 Sailors Attempted Suicide as Gillibrand Pushes Review

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 10:56 AM UTC · How we work

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Eight Sailor Suicide Attempts

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in San Diego on Oct. 7, 2026 as it returned from a record deployment.
Coverage highlighted food shortages, worsening mental health and eight suicide attempts, demanding accountability and stronger sailor support.
Hegseth said the deployment “wasn’t easy” and condemned media for depicting the ship as dysfunctional.
Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed eight service members attempted suicide after Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s inquiry.

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Presidential Unit Citation

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited USS Abraham Lincoln in San Diego on Oct. 7, 2026 after its 300-day deployment.
During his speech, two push-ups were performed after correcting a mistaken combat-flight statistic, stressing crew resilience against media criticism.
He announced the carrier would receive the Presidential Unit Citation, a top unit honor.
Speech highlighted 10,000 sorties, 23,000 flight hours and 1.5 million pounds ordnance delivered despite supply issues.

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Independent IG Review

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in San Diego on Oct. 7, 2026 as it returned from a deployment.
Lawmakers, led by Rep. Sara Jacobs, urged an independent inspector-general review of the ship’s living-condition and supply issues.
The deployment lasted over 280 days without a port call, setting a continuous sea-time record.
Hung Cao told Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand eight sailors attempted suicide, sparking calls for mental-health support.

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Eight Sailor Suicide Attempts

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in San Diego on Oct. 7, 2026 as it returned from a record deployment.
Coverage highlighted food shortages, worsening mental health and eight suicide attempts, demanding accountability and stronger sailor support.
Hegseth said the deployment “wasn’t easy” and condemned media for depicting the ship as dysfunctional.
Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed eight service members attempted suicide after Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s inquiry.

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