{"id":28539,"date":"2021-01-11T21:52:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-11T21:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/01\/11\/readying-for-the-worst-pandemics-long-deployments-take-a-hard-toll-on-crews-families-and-ships\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:27:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:27:37","slug":"readying-for-the-worst-pandemics-long-deployments-take-a-hard-toll-on-crews-families-and-ships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2021\/01\/11\/readying-for-the-worst-pandemics-long-deployments-take-a-hard-toll-on-crews-families-and-ships\/","title":{"rendered":"Readying for the worst: Pandemic\u2019s long deployments take a hard toll on crews, families and ships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower<\/a> and its thousands of sailors got ready for another deployment this fall, one officer was worried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ike broke records earlier in 2020 by deploying for 206 consecutive days at sea, a dubious distinction of a cruise made longer and crappier by the need to keep the crew COVID-19-free, eliminating the port calls that serve as pressure release valves for hard-working shipmates during deployments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The carrier got back to Norfolk in August and will soon ship out again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As this so-called \u201cdouble pump\u201d deployment looms, an Ike officer, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution, is readying for the worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMuch of leadership I have spoken to or heard of is legitimately concerned about morale, thinking suicides during the upcoming deployment are inevitable at this rate,\u201d the officer said. \u201cAnd no one can explain, for what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t