USS Abraham Lincoln Crew Arrives in Pattaya After Nine Month Deployment

Approximately 5,000 sailors and Marines from the USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in Pattaya, Thailand, for a five day rest and relaxation stop. The crew had been deployed in the Middle East for more than nine months, with some reports stating they had spent 286 days at sea with only one previous port call in Guam. Upon arrival, many sailors spent their first hours shopping at malls and visiting the city's famous Walking Street, where a large illuminated sign welcomed the crew.

Local business owners and officials expressed optimism that the visit would stimulate the economy, which had been quiet due to conflicts in the Middle East. While some restaurant owners reported a buzz in town, one bar owner noted that some sailors seemed to be roaming rather than spending money. Local authorities reminded the personnel that prostitution is illegal in Thailand, and some targeted raids were conducted prior to the arrival.

Reports on the behavior of the sailors vary. Center leaning sources described many sailors as being in good spirits, though some younger crew members became heavily intoxicated by midnight. A left leaning source reported a more specific security incident involving a physical fight between two American service members and a Thai citizen outside a bar. According to the Pattaya police superintendent, the two sailors were drunk and were subsequently restricted to the ship for the remainder of the port call.

Family members and crew members highlighted the mental toll of the long deployment. One sailor mentioned the boredom and confinement of the ship, while a mother of a crew member described the period of hostilities in the Middle East as scary and uncertain. The Shore Liaison Group was present throughout the visit to coordinate movements and maintain discipline on land.