The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier arrived at Laem Chabang port in eastern Thailand on Wednesday, concluding a deployment in the Middle East that kept the ship at sea for more than 250 consecutive days. The carrier, carrying about 5,000 service members, was seen entering the port in Chonburi province shortly after the destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. sailed past the area, as reported by multiple outlets citing Associated Press journalists on the scene.

The Lincoln had been supporting the S. war against Iran. Its deployment included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 250 days, according to reports from several news organizations. Concerns have grown about the lengthy deployment following reports of deteriorating mental health among the crew and shortages of supplies, including food and hygiene products.

Captain Responds to Ship's Condition and Trump's Comments

The ship's appearance drew attention, with large blotches of what appeared to be rust visible on the hull, particularly above the waterline and at the edge of the flight deck, where fighter aircraft and helicopters were parked. When asked about the aircraft carrier's appearance, Capt. Dan Keeler, the Lincoln's commanding officer, replied, "it is normal for a long deployment and we're not going to make further comments."

Keeler also addressed comments from President Donald Trump, who had said the deployment was "not nearly long enough." Asked for his thoughts, Keeler said, "So, the President speaks for himself. That is what I think about that."

Port Visit Details

The visit marked the Lincoln's first full port stop after 286 days at sea from the start of the deployment in 2025, according to a S. Embassy statement. The statement also said the Lincoln's strike group arrived in Laem Chabang, while the destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. docked at the nearby port of Sriracha, and the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls was in Map Ta Phut in neighboring Rayong province.

Keeler said in a prepared statement, "Abraham Lincoln's visit to Laem Chabang is a clear demonstration of our enduring commitment to our allies and partners in Thailand, and we are all very excited to make Thailand the first port visit on our historic deployment."

The USS George Washington relieved the Lincoln in the Middle East in August, as reported by several outlets. Thai officials said the stop would be for rest and recovery before the ship returns to its S. base, and many service members are expected to visit Pattaya, a nearby popular beach town.

Pattaya officials welcomed the visit and the potential boost to the local economy. Authorities said they are stepping up security to ensure a smooth visit. Local police detained between 40 and 50 people suspected of prostitution before the visit, according to a report from the Washington Examiner.

Family Reunion

Shakeira Fairfax, the mother of a crew member, traveled to Thailand to meet her daughter Jada, an entry-level seaman. Fairfax, from Paterson, New Jersey, said her daughter finished basic training in October and shipped out for the deployment in mid-November, later celebrating her 25th birthday on board. Fairfax said she worried most after the S. launched its initial attack on Iran at the end of February and she was unable to connect with Jada for a while. She recalled how her daughter sought her support when morale aboard the ship was reportedly low, asking her to "just tell me old stories."