USS George H.W. Bush Arrives in Phuket for Crew Respite

The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and Carrier Strike Group 10 arrived off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, on October 4, 2026. Approximately 4,800 sailors and Marines are aboard the Nimitz-class carrier for a rest-and-recreation visit scheduled to last until October 9. This marks the first port call for the crew since their deployment began in March from Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida.

The strike group, which includes the USS Mason, USS Ross, and USS Donald Cook, recently supported military operations in the Middle East and the Arabian Sea during a conflict with Iran. Crew members are accessing the resort island via the Phuket Deep Sea Port, a visit expected to provide an economic boost to local tourism and businesses.

Strategically, the departure of the USS George H.W. Bush from the Arabian Sea leaves the USS George Washington as the only carrier within reach of Iran, though the USS Theodore Roosevelt is reportedly moving to augment or relieve the Washington. This visit follows a similar five-day port call last month by the USS Abraham Lincoln at Laem Chabang, which carried about 5,000 personnel.