Thailand stop to give USS Abraham Lincoln crew first regular port visit in months

NAPLES, Italy — The Navy aircraft carrier at the center of an uproar about conditions sailors have faced on its latest deployment will visit Thailand next week for its first regular port call in more than nine months, according to Thai officials.

The news comes just days after the USS Abraham Lincoln departed the Middle East following more than 200 days in a combat zone supporting U.S. military operations against Iran, including a maritime blockade against Iranian ports.

Lincoln and two other carrier strike group ships are expected to visit the country Sept. 2-6, English-language newspaper the Bangkok Post reported Tuesday, citing Thai defense ministry spokesman Rear Adm. Surasant Kongsiri, who said the visit will be for rest and relaxation.

The Thai navy said in a Tuesday statement that three ships from an American carrier strike group were scheduled to make a short stopover in eastern Thailand for recuperation.

Earlier this month, Stars and Stripes reported concerns among sailors and their families about mental health and the risk of self-harm aboard the carrier.

Sailors aboard Lincoln also told the newspaper that at least one fellow service member had been stopped from jumping off the ship a few months ago. The Navy did not respond to questions about that incident.

The report detailed that sailors and their family members said the crew had endured food and water shortages and mail disruptions, among other quality-of-life issues.

As of Wednesday, Lincoln has been deployed for 279 days, spending most of that time at sea with the exception of brief stops in Guam and Oman. Carriers generally pull into a port every 30 to 45 days to allow for replenishment, maintenance and crew rest.

Port visits have been rare in part because the nearest common stops, including Bahrain, have been within range of Iranian missile and drone attacks.

No military exercises would be carried out during the visit to Thailand, The Associated Press reported. The carrier left its homeport in San Diego on Nov. 21.

Lincoln was relieved by the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which is now operating in the Arabian Sea alongside the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer.

There are about 15 Navy ships operating in the sea, according to the latest USNI News fleet tracker.

Those forces have redirected 71 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two others to ensure compliance as of Monday, U.S. Central Command said in a post to its official X account.

More than 40 vessels supporting humanitarian aid have been allowed to pass, CENTCOM said.

The concerns first reported by Stars and Stripes drew subsequent coverage from other news outlets as well as commentary and additional online claims.

The issue also drew the attention of U.S. lawmakers, some of whom have demanded an investigation into conditions aboard the carrier.