The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has departed Thailand after concluding a five-day port visit, ending a period of respite from an extended deployment in the Middle East.
Captain Dan Keeler, the commanding officer of the Abraham Lincoln, expressed gratitude for the hospitality received, stating, “We would like to thank the people of Thailand for their incredible hospitality.”
Naval deployments typically span six to nine months, though such periods can be extended during times of conflict. The nuclear-powered Lincoln, which carries approximately 5,000 personnel, was reportedly involved in U.S. naval blockade and combat operations during the war with Iran. It has also been noted by Democratic lawmakers as potentially setting a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea.
The carrier arrived at Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi province early Wednesday, accompanied by other U.S. naval vessels. This visit marked Thailand's role as the United States' sole treaty partner on mainland Southeast Asia. Upon docking, sailors and Marines, many seen smiling and waving while dressed in civilian attire, began arriving at a hotel in the resort city of Pattaya, located roughly 150 kilometers southeast of Bangkok.
