5,000 War-weary USS Lincoln Sailors and Marines Hit Thai Beach Resort After 286 Days at Sea

Nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines stationed on the USS Abraham Lincoln are descending on a beach resort town in Thailand for their first rest and relaxation after 286 days at sea with 200 of them spent in a combat zone.The visit marks the Lincoln’s first full port stop since the start of their deployment in November 2025. Acting Secretary of the Navy, Hung Cao, said the crew “crushed” their deployment and will return home soon as part of a planned rotation.The ship is docked close to Pattaya Beach, a one-time small fishing village that has grown to a bustling resort city that averages more than 10 million visitors a year. The first arrivals from the ship exited a bus on Wednesday afternoon. They were greeted by local politicians and the press.“It is a well-deserved break for all of the crew and we really look forward to our time here,” the commanding officer of the Lincoln, Captain Daniel J. Keeler, told the press.American troops have a long history of visiting the region. The American military has often used the port at nearby Laem Chaband and hundreds of thousands of American troops spent R&R time at Pattaya during the Vietnam War.Tales from those visitors helped raise the location’s prominence but the withdrawal of American forces in 1976 threatened a young tourist industry. European tour operators quickly stepped in and Pattaya became a notable nightlife destination and tourist hub. Its reputation as a sex-tourism destination also grew.In recent decades Pattaya has tried to rebrand itself as a family destination with luxury resorts and high-end shopping but it still has a rowdy entertainment district.High fuel prices blamed on the Iran War have affected tourism to the area this year and the influx of American military personnel — and months of unspent money — is providing a much needed lifeline to bars and businesses at Pattaya. Officials expect sailors to spend about $400 each, meaning up to $2 million will be spent during the ship’s visit.“This visit could be our best hope,” a store owner, Anon Saiteer, told the BBC. “We have nothing to lose – we just hope they will spend some money here.”Parts of Pattaya will be off-limits to the sailors and Marines during their shore leave. Consuming marijuana is legal in Thailand but the servicemen were ordered not to go into cannabis stores. They were also warned to avoid sex clubs. Parasailing and jet skiing are also banned activities.Military police are working with local police to keep the sailors and Marines out of trouble. There was a prostitution crackdown ahead of the Lincoln’s visit with dozens of alleged sex workers being taken into custody.Conditions on the Lincoln during the deployment became a political issue. Family members of sailors aboard the ship claimed several crew members had attempted to jump overboard due to extreme conditions. Congressional Democrats demanded answers over reports of food and water shortages and long workdays with little time off.The Pentagon disputed reports of poor conditions. The acting secretary of the Navy, Hung Cao, last month said there were a small number of mental health cases on the ship that were treated and there was no loss of life. “Unfortunately, the media are trying to paint our warriors as victims.” Mr. Cao said.“Deployments are hard. Combat operations make them harder. War is hell and normal routines are disrupted,” Mr. Cao said. “There is no question our young men and women have been pushed to their limits—but they have never broken,” he continued.The Lincoln is scheduled to depart Thailand on Sunday to return to San Diego. The USS George Washington has replaced the ship in the Gulf region.

5,000 War-weary USS Lincoln Sailors and Marines Hit Thai Beach Resort After 286 Days at Sea

5,000 War-weary USS Lincoln Sailors and Marines Hit Thai Beach Resort After 286 Days at Sea

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