Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAmerican service members of the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group arrive at a hotel in Pattaya, Thailand, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has docked in Thailand after an extended 286-day deployment, providing 5,000 sailors and Marines an opportunity for “rest and recreation.”Worries for troops on the warship grew last month over reports of mental health struggles and supply shortages aboard the ship during the extended tour in the Middle East.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed back against claims of poor conditions on the vessel and claimed crew concerns were completely misrepresented. Local authorities in Pattaya launched a crackdown on prostitution ahead of the carrier's arrival, detaining between 40 and 50 people during police raids. “Please be on your best behavior,” a commanding officer could be heard saying over a loudspeaker as the sailors left the ship. Each service member will get three “liberty days,” a U.S. military official said.In fullUSS Abraham Lincoln docks in notorious Thailand resort after more than 250 days at seaMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
5,000 US sailors arrive in Thailand for first real break after 286 days at sea
Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAmerican service members of the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group arrive at a hotel in Pattaya, Thailand, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has docked in Thailand after an extended 286-day deployment, providing 5,000 sailors and Marines an opportunity for “rest and recreation.”Worries for troops on the warship grew last month over reports of mental health struggles and supply shortages aboard the ship during the extended tour in the Middle East.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed back against claims of poor conditions on the vessel and claimed crew concerns were completely misrepresented. Local authorities in Pattaya launched a crackdown on prostitution ahead of the carrier's arrival, detaining between 40 and 50 people during police raids. “Please be on your best behavior,” a commanding officer could be heard saying over a loudspeaker as the sailors left the ship. Each service member will get three “liberty days,” a U.S. military official said.In fullUSS Abraham Lincoln docks in notorious Thailand resort after more than 250 days at seaMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
