USA06 September, 20262 min read
USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors Reach Pattaya After 286 Days at Sea
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
After 286 days at sea, USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at Laem Chabang, Thailand. Around 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard faced reports of poor conditions and low morale.
6 outlets told this the same way.
USS Lincoln in Pattaya
Sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln came ashore near the Thai beach town of Pattaya after a record 286 days at sea, with the ship described as having some 5,000 people aboard. The Guardian reported that in Pattaya’s Colour Nail salon there was “isn’t a spare burgundy lounger to be seen,” as sailors settled in for pedicures during their first port of call. The Washington Post described a “muted stay in Thailand for crew of USS Abraham Lincoln” amid reports of poor conditions and low morale during the extended deployment.
NBC News said the sailors and Marines “traded the roar of engines for the roar of elephants” during a Navy-organized trip to an elephant sanctuary in Pattaya. The Independent en Español said the stop ended a record streak after “286 days at sea” and that the arrival would allow part of the crew to enjoy a land-based rest.
Criticism and denials
The Guardian said the aircraft carrier had been plagued by reports of deteriorating living conditions and poor mental health onboard, including attempted suicides, and noted that the coverage provoked criticism of Donald Trump’s war against Iran. The Guardian also quoted the ship’s captain admitting to a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables while saying reports about the living conditions were “largely exaggerated.” The Washington Post framed the situation as a mix of frustration and criticism, describing “reports of poor conditions and low morale” for sailors who had been at sea for extended periods without returning home.
Vietnam.vn reported that President Donald Trump publicly rejected reports of deteriorating living conditions, while NBC News described the deployment as straining supplies and morale. La Prensa Gráfica reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said reports of poor conditions were “completely distorted” and highlighted the sailors’ performance amid a demanding deployment.
Spending, security, and incidents
Pattaya’s mayor Poramet Ngampichet told The Guardian that if each American spends US$100-$150 per day the visit could generate about $100m Thai baht ($3m), while Vietnam.vn said Pattaya Mayor Poramasee Ngambis estimated the sailors spent up to 100 million baht, about 3 million US dollars, during their stay. NBC News described sailors and Marines getting their first break in months in Thailand, while Vietnam.vn said the ship concluded a five-day visit and stay after sailing from Lam Chang Port on September 6 and docking on September 2. Vietnam.vn said Pattaya Police Chief Anik Sratongyo confirmed that, apart from a brief heated exchange between two drunken American soldiers in the early hours of the first day, there were no serious security incidents.
La Prensa Gráfica said two Marines were confined aboard after a drunken fight during their layover, with a Thai official describing it as a “minor” altercation and local police transporting the men to a joint operations center at the Hard Rock Cafe before returning them to the vessel. The Guardian also reported that the crew had been advised not to go to the beer bars along Soi 6 after sunset, while the main strip known as Walking Street was not off limits.