The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in Laem Chabang, Thailand, on Wednesday, concluding a lengthy deployment in the Middle East. The ship, carrying approximately 5,000 service members, docked in the eastern Thai province of Chonburi.
The carrier's strike group included the destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., which docked in the nearby port of Sriracha, and the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls, which arrived in Map Ta Phut in the neighboring Rayong province. The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok confirmed the arrivals.
This port visit marks the Lincoln's first full stop after 286 days at sea since the deployment began in 2025. The vessel's time at sea included a record-setting period of more than 250 uninterrupted days underway. Concerns had previously been raised regarding the crew's mental health and shortages of supplies, including food and hygiene products, during the extended 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 commanding officer of the Abraham Lincoln, said in a statement.
The USS George Washington, typically based in Asia, relieved the Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East in August. The crew members of the Abraham Lincoln are expected to visit Pattaya, a popular beach town, during their rest and recovery stop before returning to their U.S. base. Local Thai officials have increased security measures to ensure a smooth visit and anticipate a potential boost to the local economy.