US Central Command chief acknowledges mental health issues on USS Lincoln

The leader of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, acknowledged mental health concerns aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln on Sunday while praising the crew's "resilience" during his recent visit to the aircraft carrier.

The ship has not made a port call in more than 200 days, setting a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea, according to Democratic lawmakers who have called for answers after sailors' families raised concerns about worsening conditions on the Lincoln.

Cooper wrote in a statement posted on social media on Sunday that the Lincoln had the lowest number of mental health cases of the Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers. He praised the carrier's leadership for prioritizing mental health and crew resilience.

The Lincoln left its home port of San Diego in November and was later redirected to the Middle East to support US military operations in the war with Iran. The carrier has roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier this week that reports about conditions on the ship "completely misrepresented" the situation. President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed concerns about the length of the ship's deployment, saying it was "not nearly long enough."

Democrats, however, have intensified their demands for answers over the carrier's prolonged deployment and concerns about crew morale, mental health and living conditions. Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona, a retired US marine, said on Sunday that problems aboard the Lincoln had continued to mount, blaming the Trump administration for failing to adequately plan for the war with Iran and its escalation.

He also criticized Trump and Hegseth for dismissing concerns about the crew, warning that such comments could discourage service members from remaining in the military.

(With input from agencies)

(Cover: The leader of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, appears before a House Committee on Armed Services business meeting, Washington, DC, US, May 19, 2026. /VCG)