USS Abraham Lincoln arrives in Thailand after extended deployment
LAEM CHABANG, Thailand — The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier arrived Wednesday at a port in eastern Thailand, where thousands of U.S. sailors and Marines are disembarking for the first time in more than 280 days after a record-setting deployment in the Middle East, reports BritPanorama.
The toll of the more than nine-month deployment, most of it spent supporting military operations in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, was visible on the carrier as it pulled into Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi province. The 1,092-foot warship, one of the largest in the world, showed signs of wear, with paint worn off and rust visible on the metal underneath.
The Lincoln is stopping in Thailand on its journey home after having spent weeks in the headlines as the lengthy deployment raised concerns about supply shortages and the effect on sailors’ mental health.
The U.S. Navy confirmed the ship’s arrival in a statement, noting that the Lincoln strike group arrived in Laem Chabang while the destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. docked in nearby Sriracha, and the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls went to Map Ta Phut in neighboring Rayong province. It marked the Lincoln’s first full port stop after 286 days at sea since the deployment began in November.
“Our arrival in Laem Chabang provides a well-deserved opportunity for our sailors and Marines to rest and recharge,” said Rear Adm. Robert E. Loughran, commander of Carrier Strike Group 3. “It also underscores the strong and enduring partnership and alliance between the United States and Thailand.”
Service members were seen working aboard the deck of the Lincoln as announcements about disembarkation procedures were made. About 5,000 sailors and Marines are expected to hit the streets of Pattaya, a nearby coastal resort city, for a four-day “rest and relaxation” stop before returning to their home port in San Diego. Each sailor will receive three “liberty days” and one day of duty on the ship.
Locals in tourism-dependent Pattaya have eagerly awaited the arrival of the Lincoln. Its approach was noted by onlookers along the shore, with officials expressing optimism that its visit would inject about $3 million into the local economy, which has suffered from travel disruptions and soaring fuel prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.
Authorities have increased security, with heightened police patrols and checks along roads. Businesses have also sought to attract sailors, showcasing banners to welcome them. The naval visit is perceived as a significant boost to the local economy.
“I am just excited to see the destroyer docking,” said Wichai Yuankham, a local factory worker. “This is my first time seeing the destroyer, and I feel good seeing it, and we can boast to our neighboring countries about this.”
