The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln docked in Thailand on Wednesday, making its first port call after spending nearly nine months at sea as part of military operations in the Middle East, amid controversy over the living conditions of the crew on board and concerns about a budding mental health crisis.
Key Facts
The aircraft carrier docked at the port of Laem Chabang, near the city of Pattaya, which for several years has been a popular destination for rest and recreation among U.S. forces during their deployments. The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok confirmed the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln and other ships in the strike group at the port, noting that other U.S. Navy ships have docked at nearby ports.
The ship’s commander, Captain Dan Keeler, said the crew is “very excited to make Thailand the first port of call on this historic deployment.” The commander of the Carrier Strike Group, Rear Admiral Robert E. Loughran, noted that the port call will offer sailors and Marines a “well-deserved opportunity” to “rest and recharge.”
Citing Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, The New York Times reported that the crew members are expected to travel to the city by bus and that many of them have already booked hotel rooms.
Key figure
286 days. That is how long the USS Lincoln has been at sea without making a full port call since it departed from San Diego in November of last year. The ship made a one-day stop in Guam on December 12, but has remained at sea ever since, making it the longest modern naval deployment of its kind without a port call.
Context
The nearly nine months the Lincoln has spent at sea represent one of the longest deployments of a U.S. ship since the Cold War. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was initially deployed to the Pacific, but early this year it was moved to the Middle East to support the war in Iran.
In recent weeks, several reports have raised concerns about the conditions of the crew on board due to the extended deployment. Last month, Navy Times reported that several sailors had attempted to jump overboard, raising concerns about their mental health. Stars and Stripes also reported at least one case of a person attempting to jump from the ship.
Last month, a group of Democratic senators wrote to Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao to denounce “widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing problems, deteriorating mental health, safety issues on the decks, and disruptions to the mail system.”
However, administration officials have downplayed concerns about a mental health crisis. President Donald Trump also dismissed reports about the ship’s condition, calling them “false” and insisting that the ship was “magnificently maintained and magnificently cared for.”
Large-scale operation
Before the ship’s arrival, local authorities in Pattaya carried out a large-scale crackdown on street prostitution in the city and detained dozens of women. Sex workers are a common sight in Pattaya, although prostitution remains illegal in Thailand. The police have also announced that they will conduct additional patrols to address this issue.
The city’s mayor also noted that sailors arriving in the city will be prohibited from participating in certain activities, including “water sports, jet skiing, bungee jumping, wrestling, and boxing.”
Despite these restrictions, local authorities hope that the arrival of the military will boost the area’s economy. Ngampichet estimates that each sailor could spend between 1,000 and 3,000 Thai baht (between $30 and $91) per day during their stay.