US Navy sailors on USS Abraham Lincoln face dire conditions, mental health crisis

Nearly nine months into a deployment, American sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln are grappling with a litany of problems, including insufficient food, malfunctioning toilets, moldy showers, and a lack of basic hygiene supplies. These harsh conditions, coupled with unreliable mail service, are taking a severe toll on the mental health of the approximately 5,000 crew members.

The supercarrier, part of Carrier Strike Group 3, initially set sail from San Diego in November for missions in the South China Sea. The ship was later redirected to the Middle East to increase pressure on Iran, where the crew has been continuously engaged in operations in the Gulf of Oman.

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Toilets and faucets are broken, forcing me to walk all the way to the front of the ship to use the toilet.

Sailors have reported having to walk to the front of the ship to use the restroom due to broken facilities. Complaints also extend to food quality, with some describing meals as "insufficiently heated," and a lack of essential items like deodorant, forcing them to borrow from colleagues. One family member reported a sailor losing 65 pounds due to the poor quality of food.

Adding to the strain are the constant noise and vibrations from the ship's engines and aircraft operations. Despite previous dismissals of similar complaints as "fake news" by the Secretary of Defense, recent reports from Navy Times and Stars and Stripes indicate that some crew members are experiencing severe mental health issues and feel desperate. Family members have voiced their concerns to naval representatives, underscoring the ongoing crisis aboard the vessel.

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He has lost 29 kilograms due to the lack of good food.