Buses transporting USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier crew members arrived in the coastal city of Pattaya, Thailand, following an extensive deployment to the Middle East. The deployment, which involved a record-setting continuous period at sea exceeding 260 days, raised concerns about crew members’ mental health and shortages of essential food supplies onboard.
Despite concerns, the U.S. Navy and President Donald Trump downplayed any issues, with Trump remarking that the deployment duration was insufficient. The ship had been deployed for a total of 286 days, with an uninterrupted time at sea of 264 days before reaching Chonburi province in Thailand.
Following their arrival, crew members expressed excitement about being in Thailand after disembarking from buses with their luggage. Vendors and travel agents awaited them outside the designated pickup and drop-off point at the Hard Rock Hotel in Pattaya. The crew members were approached by vendors offering souvenirs and services, with many sailors politely declining while waiting for transportation.
Two other ships from the Lincoln’s strike group, the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and the USS Robert Smalls, were docked in different locations in Thailand. Local vendors, like A-ngo Sombat, traveled significant distances to sell their products to visiting crew members during port calls.
Throughout Pattaya, crew members were seen enjoying their time ashore, shopping at Terminal 21 mall and engaging with local attractions. A navigator aboard the Petersen shared that morale among the crew was high and expressed relief at finally heading home after his first deployment with the U.S. Navy.
Spectators gathered outside Laem Chabang Port to catch a glimpse of the massive USS Abraham Lincoln, with one American resident describing the experience as awe-inspiring due to the advanced technology and sheer size of the vessel. The commanding officer, Capt. Dan Keeler, mentioned that the ship would soon depart for home, potentially making additional stops for supplies along the way.
As the crew members savored their time in Thailand, anticipation grew for their return journey to the U.S., although the exact date of their arrival back home remained undisclosed.