The USS Abraham Lincoln, a US Navy aircraft carrier that has been at sea for 286 days, docked at Thailand's Laem Chabang port on Wednesday, offering its 5,000 crew members their first shore leave in nine months. The ship, which departed California in November 2025 for the South China Sea before being rerouted to the Middle East, arrived as part of a rest-and-recreation stop in Pattaya, a resort town that has hosted US troops since the Vietnam War.
Rear Admiral Robert Loughran, commander of the US Carrier Strike Group 3, said in a statement that the port call provides "a well-deserved opportunity for our Sailors and Marines to rest and recharge." Captain Dan Keeler, the ship's commanding officer, added that the visit would allow the crew "to enjoy this beautiful and historic country."
The arrival comes amid growing scrutiny of living conditions on the carrier. Reports of food shortages, broken plumbing, and mental health crises, including attempted suicides, have made headlines in the United States and drawn criticism of President Donald Trump's war against Iran. Democratic lawmakers have called for an investigation into the ship's conditions, but the administration has dismissed the concerns. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said in mid-August that "a small number of mental health cases were treated with no loss of life," blaming the media for "trying to paint our warriors as victims."
Pattaya prepares for the crew
Pattaya's mayor, Poramase Ngampiches, said buses have been arranged to shuttle sailors between the port and the city until the carrier departs on Sunday. He emphasized that preparations focus on "safety and ensuring fair pricing, so we don't take advantage of them." The sailors have been banned from water sports such as jet skis and from using Thailand's lax cannabis laws, but they are encouraged to enjoy the city's malls and religious sites.
Pattaya, known for its beaches and nightlife, has long been a magnet for foreign tourists, including sex tourism. The mayor said there has been a recent crackdown on sex workers, though he denied it was linked to the US arrivals. Outside one bar in the resort, a sign read: "Welcome all US military personnel. Thank you for your service."
Nicko, the French owner of a go-go bar in Pattaya, said, "We're happy to get business from anybody," but added, "We'll have to be careful because as we know, things can get out of hand with alcohol involved."
The Lincoln's deployment has been extended as the US and Israel continue their war against Iran, which began in late February. The carrier has been replaced in the Middle East by the USS George Washington, which had been stationed in Japan, and that ship will in turn be relieved by the USS Theodore Roosevelt, sailing from San Diego in the coming weeks, according to the US Naval Institute. The US has maintained an aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea for strike missions over Iran and to enforce a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The controversy over the Lincoln's crew conditions has also raised questions about the sustainability of such prolonged deployments. Critics argue that the Navy's operational tempo is stretching resources and personnel too thin, while supporters insist the crew is resilient and well-supported. The debate is likely to continue as the US military maintains a significant presence in the Middle East.
For the sailors and Marines now in Pattaya, the immediate focus is on rest and relaxation. But the broader issues of crew welfare and deployment length remain unresolved, with potential implications for US military readiness and morale.
