A letter from Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao revealed that there were eight attempted suicides by sailors in the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group during its 10-month deployment. The letter, obtained by CBS News, was sent in response to questions from Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. These attempts involved sailors assigned to the Lincoln aircraft carrier, its air wing, and the destroyers that accompany the ship. A defense official clarified that no suicides have occurred onboard the vessel itself. The Lincoln strike group has been deployed since November of last year, spending more than nine months at sea, including over 250 consecutive days in the Middle East. During this time, the carrier and its crew supported U.S. military operations against Iran. Reports from sailors included issues such as food shortages, supply problems, and faulty plumbing. Concerns about the mental health of service members also arose, with families expressing alarm over the conditions faced by sailors and Marines. Congressional Democrats, including Senator Gillibrand, have criticized the Trump administration and former Secretary of Defense James Mattis for dismissing reports of these problems as "fake news." Gillibrand stated that what was once dismissed as false information has now been confirmed as serious and worsening conditions for service members. The Pentagon has defended the conditions on the ship, stating there has been no increase in suicide attempts and that mental health support is available through counselors, chaplains, and other resources. When asked for comment, the Navy directed CBS News to a video posted by Cao on X (formerly Twitter). In the video, Cao emphasized the importance of addressing the growing issue of suicide among service members. His wife, April, also appeared in the video, urging people to speak out about their challenges. A defense official told CBS News that two of the suicide attempts occurred during active combat with Iran. The Lincoln left the Middle East late last month after being relieved by the USS George Washington and docked in Thailand in early September. The carrier recently arrived in Guam and is heading toward its home port of San Diego. While Cao confirmed that the Lincoln has been relieved of its duties in the Middle East, he stated that the ship's exact schedule and return plans are classified.