CENTCOM Denies Deaths, Rise in Suicidal Ideation on Carrier

U.S. Central Command on Thursday denied reports that seven sailors died in a brawl aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and that suicidal ideation had increased during its Middle East deployment.

The statement followed a Press TV report citing Iran’s Tasnim News Agency and an unidentified military source. The report alleged that seven Navy personnel were killed and several others wounded in a fight aboard the carrier. CENTCOM denied the death claim and said no service members aboard had died.

Separately, Military Times and Stars and Stripes reported concerns about self-harm, exhaustion and declining morale, based on accounts from sailors and relatives. Military Times detailed two family accounts involving possible self-harm aboard the carrier. The Navy did not provide the outlet with a precise total for attempted self-harm.

CENTCOM said one sailor who fell overboard Aug. 3 was quickly and safely recovered. The command did not say whether the incident involved self-harm.

The carrier has spent more than 260 days at sea, completed 10,000 aircraft flights and expended 1.5 million pounds of ordnance, according to CENTCOM. It also reported an 84.4% crew reenlistment rate.

This is a developing story. Virginia Times will update as information becomes available.