U.S.Central CommandCommander Adm.Brad Cooperon Sunday acknowledgedmental healthchallenges aboard the USS Lincoln after reports that a sailor jumped overboard amid the aircraft carrier's long Middle East deployment.
"Here's an important fact: Of the U.S. Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers, the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health," Cooper said in a statementposted to Xfollowing his visit to the ship on Saturday. "This doesn't mean that all is perfect. Find any of the nearly 4 million Navy veterans in America today and they will likely tell you that service at sea for long periods isn't for everyone."
Cooper's visit and statement follow reports of widespread morale and mental health issues aboard the Lincoln, which has been deployed for more than eight months.The Navy Timesreported last week that several sailors had attempted to go overboard, andStars and Stripesalso reported on widespread mental health issues.
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Cooper, the top U.S. commander in the war with Iran, said his visit to the ship was "awe-inspiring" and lauded the crew for "stepping up and making mental health and crew resilience a leadership priority."
PresidentDonald Trumpand Defense SecretaryPete Hegseth, however, have sought to downplay reports of deteriorating morale aboard the Lincoln.
Askedby a reporteron Friday whether the Lincoln's deployment has gone on too long, Trump said, "No, no, no" and added, "not nearly long enough." The president also said that the Lincoln would soon be replaced in the region by a different carrier.
Hegseth said that reports are "completely misrepresented."
The USS George Washington is now headed toward the Middle East and is expected to take the place of the Lincoln,MS Now reported.
Lawmakers, meanwhile, have questioned and criticized the Pentagon over conditions aboard the Lincoln.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who serves on the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, said in a statement on Saturday that there "must be accountability for the reported deteriorating conditions endured by our service members serving in a reckless war started with no justification, no strategy, and no end in sight."
"I demand hearings, accountability, and a clear plan to protect our service members and prioritize American families," she said.
