Buses transporting USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier crew members arrived in the coastal city of Pattaya, Thailand, for a port call following an extensive deployment in the Middle East. During the deployment, the aircraft carrier set a new record for an uninterrupted period at sea, exceeding 260 days. Concerns were raised about crew members’ mental health and shortages of essential supplies onboard.
Despite reported challenges, the U.S. Navy downplayed the issues, with President Donald Trump remarking that the deployment was “not nearly long enough.” The USS Abraham Lincoln had been deployed for a total of 286 days, with 264 consecutive days at sea before reaching Chonburi province.
After disembarking from buses with luggage, crew members expressed excitement about their visit to Thailand. Vendors and travel agents awaited them outside the Hard Rock Hotel, the designated meeting point for the troops arriving from the docked USS Abraham Lincoln at Laem Chabang Port.
The crew members engaged with vendors offering souvenirs and services, with many sailors politely declining while awaiting transportation. Additionally, two other ships from the Lincoln’s strike group were stationed in different ports in Thailand.
A local vendor, A-ngoon Sombat, traveled a considerable distance to sell handmade bracelets to the visiting crew, a tradition she follows when U.S. ships make port calls in Chonburi province. While some sales were made, uncertainty lingered about business prospects for the week.
Amidst their visit, service members were seen exploring Pattaya’s Terminal 21 mall, enjoying some shopping under the blazing sun. Morale among crew members of the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. was reported as high, with a young navigator expressing relief at being on his way home after his first deployment with the U.S. Navy.
As crowds gathered outside Laem Chabang Port to catch a glimpse of the USS Abraham Lincoln, visitors marveled at the sheer size and technological sophistication of the aircraft carrier. American expatriate Keith Eldridge highlighted the engineering marvel of the vessel and the advanced systems it houses.
Capt. Dan Keeler, the commanding officer of the USS Abraham Lincoln, mentioned the ship’s imminent return home, hinting at possible supply stops along the way without specifying the exact timeline for the strike group’s arrival in the U.S.
