Laem Chabang: The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier arrived at Thailand's Laem Chabang port on Wednesday after spending over nine months at sea. This long deployment included a significant period in the Middle East, during which there were reports of worsening mental conditions and deteriorating living standards for sailors on board.
According to France24.com, the carrier's 5,000 sailors and Marines are headed to the Thai resort city of Pattaya for rest and recreation. This location has served as a respite for US troops since the Vietnam War. The massive nuclear-powered carrier, with its deck lined with warplanes, was guided into the port by tugs as witnessed by AFP reporters.
Rear Admiral Robert Loughran, commander of the US Carrier Strike Group 3, expressed that the arrival in Laem Chabang offers a much-needed break for the crew to rest and recharge. Captain Dan Keeler, the Lincoln's commanding officer, noted that this is the first port visit of their "historic deployment" after 286 days at sea, allowing the crew to enjoy Thailand's beauty and culture.
The USS Abraham Lincoln departed from California in November 2025, initially for operations in the South China Sea, before being rerouted to the Middle East amid US-Israeli hostilities with Iran. Reports of deteriorating conditions on board, including mental health issues and attempted suicides, have drawn criticism of President Donald Trump's actions in the conflict with Iran.
Thailand, a US treaty ally since 1954 and a major non-NATO ally since 2003, has emphasized that the visit is strictly for logistics and rest, not linked to the Middle Eastern conflict. Pattaya is a popular tourist destination, known for its beaches and nightlife, which has faced scrutiny for sex tourism. Despite a recent crackdown on sex workers, Pattaya's mayor, Poramase Ngampiches, assured that it was not related to the US military visit.
The mayor stated that buses have been arranged for transporting sailors to and from Pattaya, with a focus on their safety and fair pricing. While sailors are banned from engaging in certain activities like jet skiing and cannabis use, they are encouraged to enjoy other attractions the city offers.
Concerns about conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln have led Democratic lawmakers to call for investigations, addressing issues like food shortages and broken plumbing. However, President Trump dismissed these concerns, and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao attributed the media for exaggerating the situation, noting that mental health cases were minimal and managed without loss of life.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been replaced in the Middle East by the USS George Washington, with the USS Theodore Roosevelt set to deploy from San Diego soon. The US continues to maintain an aircraft carrier presence in the Arabian Sea for operations related to the ongoing conflict with Iran.