The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier arrived at an eastern Thailand port on Wednesday, bringing a demanding Middle East deployment closer to its next chapter.
Associated Press journalists observed the massive carrier, home to roughly 5,000 service members, as it entered Laem Chabang port in Chonburi province. Its arrival came shortly after the destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. passed through the same area.
The aircraft carrier had been involved in supporting the U.S. military campaign against Iran, a mission that included more than 250 consecutive days at sea — an unusually long stretch that set a record for the ship.
The extended deployment has drawn increasing scrutiny, with reports pointing to worsening mental health concerns among crew members as well as shortages of basic supplies, including food and hygiene items.
The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok confirmed the carrier’s arrival in a statement released Wednesday.
According to the embassy, the Lincoln’s strike group reached Laem Chabang, while the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. docked at nearby Sriracha. The guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls was positioned at Map Ta Phut in neighboring Rayong province.
The embassy said the Thailand stop was the USS Abraham Lincoln’s first full port visit after 286 days at sea since the start of its 2025 deployment.
“Abraham Lincoln’s visit to Laem Chabang is a clear demonstration of our enduring commitment to our allies and partners in Thailand, and we are all very excited to make Thailand the first port visit on our historic deployment,” Capt. Dan Keeler, the carrier’s commanding officer, said in the statement.
The usually Asia-based USS George Washington relieved the long-deployed Lincoln in the Middle East in August.
Many of the service members are expected to make a visit to Pattaya, a nearby popular beach town. Thai officials have said the Lincoln’s stop would be for rest and recovery before returning to its U.S. base.
Pattaya officials said they welcomed the visit and the potential boost to the local economy. Authorities said they are stepping up security to ensure a smooth visit.
