Archive · 3 Sep 2026
USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors Unwind After 280 Days at Sea
The USS Abraham Lincoln is a very large American aircraft carrier.
It arrived in Thailand after spending more than 280 days at sea.
About 5,000 sailors and Marines can now take a short break on land.
Many are staying in Pattaya, where they can sleep in hotels, eat Thai food, visit beaches, and use spas.
Some families also traveled to Thailand to meet them.
Thai police and Navy officials created rules to keep everyone safe and avoid trouble.
The sailors cannot use marijuana or take part in certain risky water activities.
Local businesses welcomed the visitors because they are expected to spend millions of dollars.
After five days, the ship and its accompanying vessels will continue across the Pacific to San Diego.
The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at Thailand’s Laem Chabang port after more than 280 consecutive days at sea.
Nearly 5,000 sailors, Marines, and aviators received a five-day rest-and-recreation break in Pattaya.
The port call followed a deployment described as lasting 286 days and involving combat operations in West Asia.
Thai authorities and U.S. Navy officials imposed security rules, including restricted areas, curfews, and bans on cannabis and high-risk water sports.
Pattaya businesses expected a multimillion-dollar boost from visiting personnel before the carrier group returns to San Diego.
- Who
- Nearly 5,000 sailors, Marines, and aviators from the USS Abraham Lincoln and Carrier Strike Group 3.
- What
- A five-day rest-and-recreation port visit in Thailand after a deployment lasting more than 280 days at sea.
- When
- The carrier arrived on Wednesday; the five-day visit follows a deployment that began in November last year.
- Where
- Laem Chabang in Chonburi province, with personnel staying and spending time in Pattaya; accompanying ships used ports in Sriracha and Map Ta Phut.
- Why
- To give the crew rest and recuperation before the strike group returns to its home base in San Diego, California.
Rest and Economic Welcome
Security and Conduct Controls
Purpose of the visit
Rest and Economic Welcome
U.S. military leadership described the port call as a well-deserved chance for sailors and Marines to rest and recharge after an exceptionally long deployment.
Security and Conduct Controls
Thai and U.S. authorities emphasized that shore leave must be managed through security patrols, staggered disembarkation, curfews, and conduct rules.
Pattaya’s response
Rest and Economic Welcome
Hotels, restaurants, transport providers, spas, bars, and retailers welcomed the influx and anticipated several million dollars in direct spending.
Security and Conduct Controls
Authorities restricted access to some nightlife areas and conducted pre-arrival operations targeting illicit sex-trade and human-trafficking networks to maintain public order and prevent exploitation.
- Main vessel
- USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier.
- Port visit length
- Five days.
- Crew affected
- Nearly 5,000 sailors, Marines, and aviators.
- Deployment duration
- More than 280 consecutive days at sea; the article also describes the deployment as lasting 286 days.
- Accompanying vessels
- USS Frank E. Petersen Jr and USS Robert Smalls.
- Local spending estimate
- Each visiting military member was expected to spend 1,000 to 3,000 Thai baht, or about $30 to $90, per day.
- Return destination
- Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California.