USS Abraham Lincoln Docks in Thailand After Record Deployment

The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and two accompanying ships will dock near Pattaya, Thailand, from September 2-6 for rest and recuperation. The visit follows a strenuous nine-month deployment that included more than 250 consecutive days at sea without a port call, a record for the Navy. The crew supported U.S. military operations and a maritime blockade against Iran in the Middle East, facing missile and drone attacks and supply shortages following the destruction of a U.S. Navy base in Bahrain.

The deployment sparked significant controversy as leaked photographs and reports detailed deteriorating living conditions, including broken toilets and shortages of food, water, and hygiene products. Democratic lawmakers and Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded answers from the Pentagon following reports of declining mental health and several attempts by sailors to jump overboard. One sailor is currently facing non-judicial punishment for malingering and absence without leave after jumping overboard following a denied paternity leave request. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao dismissed these reports as misrepresentations of the crew's performance.

Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet welcomed the arrival of the 5,000 sailors and Marines, noting their purchasing power during the low tourist season. Local police increased patrols and arrested sex workers to prepare for the influx, while U.S. officials barred crew members from certain nightlife areas and marijuana use. After the stop, the carrier will return to its home port in San Diego.