Buses transporting crew members of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier arrived in the coastal city of Pattaya, Thailand, on Thursday for a port call following an extended deployment in the Middle East. The Lincoln played a role in the U.S. operations against Iran and set a new record with over 260 consecutive days at sea, raising concerns about crew mental health and food shortages onboard.
Despite the challenges, the U.S. Navy downplayed any issues, with President Donald Trump remarking that the deployment was insufficiently long. The ship, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, had been deployed for a total of 286 days, with 264 days spent continuously at sea before reaching Chonburi province.
After disembarking from buses with their belongings, numerous service members expressed their excitement about being in Thailand. Vendors and travel agents awaited them outside the Hard Rock Hotel, the designated meeting point for troops from the Lincoln.
Two other ships from the Lincoln’s strike group, the destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and the cruiser USS Robert Smalls, were also stationed in different parts of Thailand. Local vendors like A-ngoon Sombat traveled long distances to offer their products to the visiting crew.
Throughout the day, service members were seen exploring Pattaya, visiting malls, and interacting with locals. One sailor, a 20-year-old navigator aboard the Petersen, shared his enthusiasm about being in Thailand and heading back home after his first U.S. Navy deployment.
The visit of the USS Abraham Lincoln drew crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the massive ship at Laem Chabang Port, turning the area into a temporary attraction. Spectators took photos, videos, and engaged in conversations about the technological marvel that is the aircraft carrier.
Capt. Dan Keeler, the commanding officer of the Lincoln, mentioned plans for the ship to return home soon, possibly with additional supply stops along the way, but refrained from providing a specific date for the strike group’s arrival in the U.S.
