USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group departs Thailand after port call

USS Abraham Lincoln and its carrier strike group set sail from Thailand on Sunday after five days in port.

Lincoln arrived in Thailand on Wednesday, steaming into Laem Chabang, just north of the resort city of Pattaya. It was the first regular port call in nearly nine months during a patrol that included 208 consecutive days at sea and 200 days in a combat zone while facing concerns about conditions aboard the aircraft carrier.

“We would like to thank the people of Thailand for their incredible hospitality,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Dan Keeler, Abraham Lincoln’s commanding officer. “This port visit to Pattaya was a tremendous opportunity for this crew to recharge and a highlight for the strike group. Thailand has such a rich culture and history, coupled with incredible hospitality, and that all shone through in this port visit. We are grateful to our Thai allies for hosting us, and we look forward to continuing our mission here in 7th Fleet, alongside Thailand and our other regional allies and partners.”

Two ships accompanying the carrier — the guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls — arrived the same day at the nearby Thai ports of Sri Racha and Map Ta Phut, respectively.

The Navy’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program worked with local Thai businesses to organize tours and events throughout the local area, the Navy said in a news release Sunday.

The carrier and its crew of approximately 5,000 sailors and Marines have been at sea nearly continuously since departing San Diego on Nov. 21.

The Abraham Lincoln stopped at Guam on Dec. 11-12 and made an even shorter stop at Oman on July 7. Its longest uninterrupted stretch at sea lasted 208 days.

Aircraft carriers typically make port calls every 30 to 45 days for maintenance, resupply and crew rest.

The Abraham Lincoln also spent 200 days in the U.S. Central Command area, where its strike group supported combat operations against Iran and a maritime blockade of Iranian ports.

The prolonged deployment raised concerns among some sailors and their families about conditions aboard the carrier.

Stars and Stripes reported Aug. 11 that sailors described shortages of some food and drinking water and deteriorating mental health among members of the crew.

The carrier was relieved in the Middle East by USS George Washington, which arrived in the Central Command area on Aug. 19.

The strike group will conduct routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on its journey back to the U.S.

Contributing: Stars and Stripes reporter Alex Wilson