USS Abraham Lincoln docks in Thailand after long deployment

The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at a port in eastern Thailand on Wednesday, giving nearly 5,000 U.S. sailors and Marines their first full port stop after months at sea and a high-profile deployment tied to military operations against Iran.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier docked at Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi province, near the beach resort city of Pattaya, on its way back to its home port in San Diego. The U.S. Navy said 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.

The Navy said the stop was the Lincoln’s first full port visit after 286 days at sea since the deployment began in November. The BBC reported the carrier had gone a record 250 days at sea without a port stop. The ship had left San Diego for what was supposed to be a six-month assignment in the Pacific and South China Sea, the BBC reported, before being diverted to the Gulf after the U.S. and Israel began military operations against Iran in late February.

The length of the deployment has drawn scrutiny. Members of Congress recently raised concerns about reports of food shortages, broken toilets and mental stress among the crew, according to the BBC. The U.S. Navy acknowledged that working conditions had been tough but said the crew were sufficiently supported. NBC News reported that the toll was visible as the 1,092-foot warship pulled into port, with worn paint and rusted metal showing on parts of one of the world’s largest warships.

“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.”

A voice over the ship’s loudspeaker could be heard guiding the disembarkation process. “I’m excited, as excited as you are,” it said.

The service members are expected to spend four days on a “rest and relaxation” stop, with each receiving three liberty days and one day of duty aboard the ship, a U.S. military official said. The BBC reported that the Navy has arranged shuttle buses from the port to Pattaya from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. each day, and that two hotels have been designated for crew members who want to stay onshore.

Pattaya businesses, hit by reduced tourism and consumer spending linked to the conflict in the Middle East, have been preparing for the sailors’ arrival. City officials said the visit is expected to inject about $3 million into the local economy. Some businesses have put up welcome banners and offered discounts.

“This visit could be our best hope,” said Anon Saiteer, who sells gems near Walking Street. “We have nothing to lose — we just hope they will spend some money here.”

Authorities have increased police patrols and road checks, and the BBC reported that hundreds of officers have been deployed in entertainment zones. Thai officials have warned businesses not to overcharge the visitors. Certain areas, including Soi 6, a street known for go-go bars, are off-limits, as are cannabis shops and sea-sports such as paragliding and jet-skis.

Mayor Poramase Ngampiches said the restrictions were set by the U.S. military. “It is their decision,” he told the BBC. “The US military have done their homework.”

The mayor said Pattaya is trying to show a broader image than its nightlife reputation. “We have to be frank, the city has a reputation for bar girls. We understand the stereotypes. We can’t stop that,” he said. “What we can do is to show that Pattaya has changed, that we now have other things, such as sports, seminars, wellness and family-friendly activities.”