USS Abraham Lincoln Docks in Thailand After Lengthy Middle East Deployment

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier has arrived at Laem Chabang port in eastern Thailand following a lengthy deployment in the Middle East.

The aircraft carrier, which carries about 5,000 U.S. service members, entered the port in Chonburi province on Wednesday after spending more than 250 consecutive days at sea.

The Lincoln had been supporting the U.S. military campaign against Iran. Its extended deployment has raised concerns over the well-being of its crew, with reports highlighting deteriorating mental health and shortages of essential supplies, including food and hygiene products.

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok confirmed the arrival of the carrier strike group. The destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. docked at the nearby port of Sriracha, while the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls was reported to be at Map Ta Phut in neighboring Rayong province.

The visit is the Lincoln's first full port stop after 286 days at sea since the beginning of its deployment in 2025.

Capt. Dan Keeler, the carrier's commanding officer, described the visit as a demonstration of the United States' continued commitment to its allies and partners in Thailand.

The USS George Washington replaced the long-deployed Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East in August, allowing the carrier and its crew to begin their journey home.

The arrival in Thailand is expected to provide the crew with an opportunity to rest and recover after one of the longest deployments in the ship's history.

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