New Delhi: The USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier that spent a record 250 days at sea without a port call—the longest call in modern history—has now docked at Laem Chabang in Thailand, giving around 5,000 sailors and Marines a much-needed break after months of deployment, including combat operations in the Middle East.
The carrier arrived near Pattaya, a resort city known for its nightlife and entertainment districts, after leaving its home base in San Diego in November last year. The ship had initially been scheduled for a six-month deployment in the Pacific and South China Sea but was diverted to the Gulf after the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran in late February, according to the BBC.
The Financial Times reported that the uninterrupted deployment was the longest in the modern era for a US aircraft carrier and became emblematic of the strain placed on American military resources during the Iran war.
The approximately 5,000 personnel aboard the carrier are being allowed to disembark in stages. Hundreds of sailors and Marines were transferred to Pattaya on Wednesday, where businesses and local authorities are hoping their arrival will provide a much-needed boost to tourism and consumer spending.
‘Hope amid Iran war’
Pattaya has a particular history with the US military. The BBC reported that hundreds of thousands of American troops visited the city for rest during the Vietnam War, helping transform what was once a sleepy fishing village into a major international tourist destination.
Local businesses are now hoping for a repeat of that economic effect. The BBC quoted gem seller Anon Saiteer as saying that the arrival of American servicemen could be the city’s “best hope” as businesses struggle amid the impact of the Iran war on tourism and consumer spending.
Some businesses have put up welcome signs and offered special discounts for US military personnel, while one tailor was advertising suits that could be made within 24 hours for US Navy personnel, according to the Financial Times.
The port visit comes against the backdrop of concerns about conditions aboard the carrier during its unusually long deployment.
The sailors and their families had raised concerns about shortages of food, water and hygiene products, low morale and mental health problems, including reported suicide attempts. Some sailors also shared accounts of difficult living conditions anonymously on social media.
One sailor quoted by the newspaper described being back on land as a “fever dream”, while another said he was looking forward to simply relaxing and eventually returning home.
Also read: Why are women leaving their husbands after watching gay hockey drama Heated Rivalry?
‘Small number of mental health cases treated’
The US Navy has acknowledged that the extended deployment created difficult working conditions but has rejected suggestions that the crew was inadequately supported. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said in August that meal plans had been adjusted when fresh supplies were unavailable but that no meal had been missed. He also said a “small number” of mental health cases had been treated with no loss of life.
President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also dismissed concerns about the ship’s deployment last month. Trump said the deployment was “not nearly long enough”, while Hegseth described reports of poor conditions as “completely misrepresented”.
The carrier also faced Iranian missile and drone attacks during its deployment, which US officials said were successfully intercepted. The ship, which can accommodate more than 65 aircraft, finally left the Middle East in August and was replaced by the USS George Washington.
The US Navy has arranged shuttle buses between the port and Pattaya operating from early morning until late at night. But Sailors have reportedly been prohibited from visiting certain entertainment areas, cannabis shops and participating in activities including parasailing and jet-skiing. For the sailors now in Thailand, the port visit offers a rare opportunity to rest before the carrier begins its journey back across the Pacific.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)