USS Abraham Lincoln’s Extended Mission: Crew Faces Fatigue, Tension and Difficult Conditions On Board

USS Abraham Lincoln is continuing one of the longest deployments ever recorded by the US Navy, while remaining away from its home base for an extended period has raised concerns about the physical and psychological health of its crew.

After more than six months away from port, the aircraft carrier could break the record for the longest mission by a ship of its kind since the Vietnam War. The current record was set only a few months ago by USS Gerald R. Ford, which spent 326 days deployed and took part in military operations against Iran and Venezuela.

Lincoln’s case reflects a broader trend within the US Navy, which is increasingly asking carrier strike groups to remain at sea longer than the recommended seven-month period.

Former navy officials and experts warn that such missions place a burden on crews and ships. They say the consequences may include severe fatigue, mental health problems and cases in which service members decide to leave the Navy.

A member of the USS Abraham Lincoln crew told CNN that morale on board is at very low levels. He also said he had repeatedly heard of crew members experiencing suicidal thoughts.

The service member said that even the most basic needs on the ship are not always being properly met. Toilets and water stations often do not work, while hot water is not guaranteed at all times.

“Every day we wake up and hear the captain speak, while anxiously and desperately waiting for any information about our return,” he told CNN.

Other crew members have described the situation as significantly worse than during previous missions. One of the main reasons is that the fighting has prevented the aircraft carrier from stopping at allied ports, where ships usually receive supplies and service members can rest.

Sailors and their families have also spoken about occasional food shortages, limited quantities of hygiene products and faults in the water system.

Another crew member said that the ship’s store previously had hygiene products in stock at all times, whereas purchases are now limited and many of those products are no longer available.

Kate Kuzminski, a defense expert at the Center for a New American Security, said the US Navy must adapt the way it conducts deployments to today’s reality. This, she said, would give service members and their families clearer expectations.

Kuzminski said extended missions could influence service members and their families in deciding whether to continue their careers in the Navy.

CNN previously reported that in recent months, two sailors assigned to Lincoln’s carrier strike group fell overboard. Both were found alive, while, according to other reports, other crew members were stopped before jumping from the ship.

The US Navy disputes the claim that there has been an increase in suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts aboard the ship. In a statement to CNN, it said the well-being of every member of the armed forces is treated with the utmost seriousness and that the crew has access to medical and mental health professionals.

A US official said the Navy does not see a link between the length of the deployment and thoughts of self-harm.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump was asked about the amount of time USS Lincoln has spent on its mission. He replied that the deployment “has not been nearly long enough.”

The comment prompted reactions from service members’ families. The wife of a crew member, who chose not to be identified, criticized the statement and urged Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to show more empathy.

Data reviewed by CNN shows that, since 2020, the average length of US aircraft carrier missions has steadily increased.

The Navy’s standard plan provides for a three-year cycle for crews, including an approximately seven-month deployment, or 210 days. However, following Hamas’ attacks on Israel in October 2023 and the expansion of conflicts in the Middle East, missions exceeding that limit have become more frequent.

After the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower were involved in extended deployments. Ford returned in January 2024 after spending 260 days away from its base, while Eisenhower ended its mission after 274 days.

During 2024, three aircraft carrier deployments lasted more than 250 days. A year later, in 2025, two missions exceeded the 270-day mark, including that of USS Gerald R. Ford, which set the record at 326 days.

USS Abraham Lincoln remains at sea and could surpass that figure before returning to California. The ship departed San Diego on November 21, while most of the crew last set foot on land on December 11, when the ship stopped in Guam.

The consequences of long missions are not limited to the crew, experts warn. Ship components also wear down, and repairs carried out at sea often provide only temporary solutions. Cables used to arrest aircraft can be damaged, while salt water can penetrate the ship’s systems.

Over time, these faults can accumulate and increase the likelihood of incidents. Family members of Lincoln’s crew have also reported difficulties with packages sent from home, which in some cases arrive months later or are never delivered at all.

One family member said her husband had described the deployment as the most difficult mission of his life. She said he had become more nervous and was irritated more easily, unlike his previous behavior.

Despite the difficult conditions, Lincoln’s carrier strike group has carried out around 10,000 military flights. The operations supported US attacks against Iran and the enforcement of the blockade against the country.

Senior Navy leaders have also begun questioning the current deployment model. John Perryman, the highest-ranking member of the US Navy, has described the system as a “production line” built on a peacetime mentality. In his view, a new model is needed for preparing and employing forces.

The pressure is compounded by the limited number of US aircraft carriers. The United States has only 11 such ships, some of which are old, while their replacement with Ford-class models is facing delays.

USS John F. Kennedy has entered the final phase of sea trials and is expected to be delivered to the Navy in March 2027, nearly two years behind the originally scheduled deadline.

The Trump administration’s latest orders for the future aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller could cause further delays. The president has requested that future ships be equipped with steam catapults rather than the electromagnetic system used on the newer Ford-class aircraft carriers.

This change would force the Navy to redesign the ship, a process that could cost billions of dollars. As a result, its entry into service could be delayed until the end of the 2030s.

If the delays continue, the US Navy may have no choice but to extend the missions of the aircraft carriers it currently has even further or keep its aging Nimitz-class ships in service beyond their planned lifespans.

For USS Abraham Lincoln, this puts USS Gerald R. Ford’s record of 326 days within reach. However, the main question remains how long an exhausted crew can continue to endure such a mission.