USS Abraham Lincoln docks in Thailand after 286-day Middle East deployment
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at Laem Chabang port for a four-day rest stop, allowing roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines to disembark and spend liberty time in Pattaya.
The nuclear-powered carrier USS Abraham Lincoln reached Laem Chabang port in eastern Thailand on Wednesday, marking its first full port stop since beginning a 286-day deployment in November. The ship, which spent most of the nine-month tour supporting operations linked to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, showed signs of wear, with paint stripped and rust visible on its hull.
The carrier and its strike group, including the destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls, will remain in Thai waters for four days before heading back to San Diego. Rear Adm. Robert E. Loughran, commander of Carrier Strike Group 3, said the stop provides “a well-deserved opportunity for our sailors and Marines to rest and recharge” and highlights the “strong and enduring partnership and alliance between the United States and Thailand.”
About 5,000 service members are expected to spend three liberty days in the nearby resort city of Pattaya, a popular tourist destination that has seen a decline in visitors due to regional travel disruptions and higher fuel costs. Local officials estimate the visit could inject roughly $3 million into the local economy. Security has been heightened with increased police patrols, and businesses have displayed welcome banners.
When the ship arrived, crew members were heard over the ship’s loudspeakers urging them to “be on your best behavior.” Sailors disembarked in civilian clothing, some carrying backpacks, and were met by lines of pickup trucks ready to transport them into town. A factory worker in Pattaya expressed enthusiasm, noting it was his first time seeing a destroyer and that the visit would be a point of pride for the community.