On Friday, August 14, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Navy, Hung Cao, refuted negative media reports about the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, stating that the sailors and Navy Marines on board are not the “victims” portrayed by the media.
He said in a statement that the USS Abraham Lincoln has successfully completed its deployment mission and will be returning to its homeport as planned. Details of the rotation will be announced later.
Hung Cao emphasized that the safety of their sailors and Navy Marines is always a top priority.
The Acting Navy Secretary pointed out that the key focus of the Navy is to accomplish missions and ensure the well-being of the troops. However, he noted that the media is attempting to portray the sailors on the Lincoln as “victims”, which he described as not only dishonest but also diverting attention from the threats posed by the enemy to the country, its people, and way of life.
He listed the deployment records of the USS Abraham Lincoln, stating that during the 266-day deployment, the carrier was active in the war zone for 200 days, conducted over 10,000 flight missions, and dropped 1.5 million pounds of ammunition.
Hung Cao admitted that Navy personnel faced certain challenges during the deployment, including some mental health issues that were treated without any casualties. Adjustments were made to meal plans when fresh supplies were unavailable, and communication with families was restricted during high combat threats.
He acknowledged that the long-term combat deployment indeed placed significant stress on young servicemen. Despite the challenges, he praised their resilience and dedication to their duties.
After understanding the full truth, Hung Cao made it clear that their troops and their families are not victims but exemplars of American strength and resilience.
In conclusion, the Acting Navy Secretary urged the public to welcome the sailors and Navy Marines onboard the Lincoln with gratitude as they return home in a hero’s welcome.
This statement serves as the latest response from the U.S. military to recent public opinions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Thursday that media reports on the living conditions and morale of the USS Abraham Lincoln crew were “completely distorted”. The U.S. Navy also clarified that there has not been an observed increase in suicidal ideation or suicide attempts onboard; however, relevant statistical data has not been disclosed for operational security and patient privacy reasons.
Before this, the U.S. Central Command issued a rebuttal that negative reports about the USS Abraham Lincoln within the last 48 hours, including claims of seven deaths due to fights and a surge in suicidal ideation among crew members, were all unfounded.
U.S. media cited current sailors, family members, and social media posts to report concerns regarding the USS Abraham Lincoln’s long-term missions at sea, including worries about mental health, supplies, drinking water, pipeline equipment, mail delays, and personnel fatigue. Some family members and sailors expressed that the uncertainty of deployment duration and lack of port relief aggravated personnel stress. Democratic Senator from Connecticut has requested the Pentagon to provide explanations regarding the situation.
The USS Abraham Lincoln departed California in November 2025 for the South China Sea, and was deployed to the Middle East for military operations against Iran in February 2026. The deployment originally intended to end in May has been extended multiple times.
Several media outlets reported that the U.S. is preparing to replace the Lincoln with the USS George Washington, stationed in Japan, as part of the scheduled rotation plan. However, the U.S. officials have not officially announced this decision.