Sailors from the U.S. Navy's USS Abraham Lincoln have arrived in Pattaya, Thailand, for shore leave following a 250-day deployment that included operations in the Middle East. The visit offers a respite for the crew after an extended period at sea.
Sailors described the lengthy voyage as monotonous, with one crew member noting the difficulty of passing time during the nine-month period at sea. "It got boring. It's never big enough on board. It's big but it still feels a boat, especially when you're sharing it with thousands of people," he told the BBC, adding that the journey home to California felt "too long."
Shakeira Fairfax, mother of 25-year-old crew member Jada Fairfax, shared that morale had been low at times during the deployment, particularly after hostilities broke out in the Middle East, describing it as an "uncertain" and "scary" period. She expressed anticipation for her daughter's return.
While crew members have been instructed not to discuss conditions on board during the deployment against Iran, some sailors were hesitant to speak with journalists, referring inquiries to their media teams. A Shore Liaison Group (SLG) is present in Pattaya to help maintain discipline among the crew, many of whom are young and inexperienced, and to coordinate with local authorities.
US Naval Attache Kristopher Robinson stated that the aim was to provide sailors with as much opportunity for rest as possible, and that U.S. personnel would adhere to U.S. law, naval regulations, and the laws of Thailand.
In Pattaya, the sailors, characterized by their military haircuts and moustaches, are engaging in activities such as shopping and visiting bars, a contrast to the usual tourist crowds.
