The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier has officially docked at a port in eastern Thailand after a grueling Middle East deployment that kept the warship at sea for more than 250 days. The arrival at the Laem Chabang port in Chonburi province on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, marked the vessel's first full port stop after 286 days—or more than nine months—at sea since the beginning of its deployment in 2025.
Carrying a crew of approximately 5,000 service members, the massive carrier made its entry shortly after the destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. sailed past the area. According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy, the Petersen Jr. docked at the nearby port of Sriracha, while the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls docked at Map Ta Phut in neighboring Rayong province.
The Lincoln's deployment was centered on supporting the U.S. war against Iran, a mission that included a record-setting uninterrupted duration at sea. However, the length of the deployment has sparked growing concerns, particularly following reports of deteriorating mental health among the crew and shortages of essential supplies, including food and hygiene products. Although crew members were not immediately accessible to the media upon arrival, the physical toll of the long journey was visible on the ship's exterior.
The carrier appeared to be in need of a new paint job, with large blotches of what looked like rust visible on its hull, particularly just above the waterline and at the edges of the flight deck where fighter aircraft and helicopters were parked.
When asked about the weathered appearance of the ship, Capt. Dan Keeler, the Lincoln's commanding officer, kept his comments brief. "It is normal for a long deployment and we're not going to make further comments," Keeler said. He was similarly terse when asked about President Trump's comment that the record-setting deployment was "not nearly long enough," replying, "So, the president speaks for himself.
That is what I think about that." Despite the challenges, Keeler emphasized the strategic importance of the visit in an earlier prepared statement, noting that the stop at Laem Chabang is a clear demonstration of the enduring U.S. commitment to its allies and partners in Thailand, and expressing the crew's excitement to make Thailand their first port visit on this historic deployment.
The prolonged deployment has also taken a heavy emotional toll on the families of the sailors. Jefferson Kelley, whose son Jackson was serving on the Lincoln for his first-ever deployment, voiced his concerns about the conditions. "They should not be deployed this long," Kelley said, pointing out that the vessels are old and require constant, round-the-clock maintenance rather than being state-of-the-art.
In a separate incident, the father of another sailor on board was briefly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement before being released from custody last week. The Lincoln was finally relieved in the Middle East in August by the USS George Washington, which is usually based in Asia.
For some families, the port visit provided a long-awaited chance to reunite. Shakeira Fairfax traveled from Paterson, New Jersey, to Thailand to meet her daughter, Jada, an entry-level seaman on the Lincoln. Speaking to reporters outside a hotel in Pattaya where crew members were set to spend their leave, Fairfax expressed her deep emotion and excitement.
She noted that Jada had finished basic training in October, shipped out in mid-November, and celebrated her 25th birthday while on board. Fairfax admitted that her anxiety peaked at the end of February, when the U.S.
launched its initial attack on Iran and she was temporarily unable to connect with her daughter. Describing it as a scary and difficult time, she credited her daughter's friends and their support system for helping them get through it. She also recalled how Jada had reached out for her support when morale on the ship was reportedly low.
Meanwhile, officials in Pattaya have welcomed the visit and the anticipated boost to the local economy, stating that they are stepping up security to ensure a smooth stay for the sailors.
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