USS Abraham Lincoln crew begins shore leave in Pattaya after 270-day deployment
Around 5,000 sailors from the aircraft carrier arrived in Pattaya, Thailand, for their first shore leave in nine months, amid reports of deteriorating living conditions aboard the ship.
About 5,000 crew members of the USS Abraham Lincoln disembarked in Pattaya, Thailand, after a 270-day deployment, the longest uninterrupted sea stint for the carrier. The sailors were greeted by the city’s mayor, police officials and local residents at the Hard Rock Cafe and hotel, and were escorted to the shore in civilian clothing.
The U.S. Navy’s captain, Dan Keeler, told reporters that the ship’s conditions had become challenging, noting shortages of fresh fruit, vegetables, soap and toothpaste, and describing the carrier as “looking like a dirty car in a parking lot.” He said first-time sailors often complain about food and living conditions, comparing it to “sending kids off to college for the first time.”
"I am looking forward to a fresh salad," Keeler said.
"First-time sailors are going to complain about the food, the living conditions, similar to sending kids off to college for the first time," he added.
The captain declined to comment on reports of attempted suicides, saying an investigation was ongoing. He also dismissed President Donald Trump’s comment that the deployment was “not nearly long enough,” stating the president “speaks for himself.”
Local officials imposed restrictions on the sailors, barring them from certain red-light districts after sunset, prohibiting water-sports, and preventing visits to pharmacies for over-the-counter medicines that may require prescriptions in the United States. Pattaya’s mayor Poramet Ngampichet said the restrictions were for safety and health reasons.
A naval attaché with the U.S. embassy, Kristopher Robinson, said Pattaya was chosen because of Thailand’s reputation for hospitality, and urged the crew to enjoy the city’s food and culture while complying with U.S. and local laws.
Family members of sailors also arrived, with some waiting for additional days to reunite with their relatives. One sailor, who asked to remain anonymous, said he was eager to try Thai food and meet new people after the long deployment.