US Navy is stretched too thin, Brent Sadler warns
Retired Navy Capt. Brent Sadler is warning that the U.S. Navy does not have enough ships to comfortably meet rising threats around the world, particularly from China and Iran. He pointed to the USS Abraham Lincoln’s 250-day deployment as a sign of the pressure on a shrinking fleet, arguing that Washington must accelerate shipbuilding if it wants to return sailors to the traditional six-month deployment cycle.
In Thailand, officials in a major resort city launched a crackdown on prostitution as they prepared for the arrival of roughly 5,000 U.S. sailors and Marines coming off months of duty at sea in the Middle East.
The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived Wednesday near Pattaya, a city famous for its nightlife, alongside two other U.S. naval vessels, according to The Independent.
“We are doing our best, but it is difficult,” Pattaya police chief Anek Srathongyoo said Monday, describing the challenge of curbing prostitution in one of Thailand’s busiest tourist destinations.
Pedestrians pass a banner welcoming U.S. military personnel outside a bar in Pattaya, Thailand, on Sept. 1, 2026, as the resort city increases security ahead of the arrival of sailors and Marines from the USS Abraham Lincoln. (AFP via Getty Images)
The operation has included heavier police patrols along beaches and through nightlife districts, as well as weekend raids that led to the arrests of more than 50 people suspected of involvement in prostitution.
Prostitution remains illegal in Thailand, though major tourism centers such as Bangkok and Pattaya have long been associated with the country’s sex tourism industry.
The San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln departed port in November and was later rerouted to the Middle East during the U.S. war with Iran.
However, the prolonged deployment raised concerns amid reports of health issues, deteriorating conditions aboard the warship, and low morale.
U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is seen near Laem Chabang Port in the Gulf of Thailand on Sept. 2, 2026, near Pattaya. (AFP via Getty Images)
Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches expressed hope that the influx of American service members would boost the region’s economy.
Each service member could spend around $30 to $90 per day, depending on where they stay and for how long, the mayor said.
“When we heard the news that a U.S. Navy warship would be docking in Pattaya, it became a source of hope for us,” said Lisa Hamilton, president of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association.
General views of Pattaya nightlife amid reports that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier may visit the area on Sept. 1, 2026, in Pattaya, Thailand. The U.S. Navy has not publicly confirmed the visit. (David Silverman/Getty Images)
Pattaya originally grew from a small fishing village into a major tourism hub largely due to U.S. military members seeking rest and relaxation during the Vietnam War.
