Story perspectives

USS Lincoln Sets Deployment Record, Debuts Epic Fury Role

9/7/2026

Summary

Abraham Lincoln Departs

USS Abraham Lincoln departed Thailand after a five-day port visit on Sunday.
The carrier’s 286-day deployment, including 264 consecutive sea days, set a modern-day record.
It participated in the opening strikes of Operation Epic Fury against Iran on February 28.
Reports cited food shortages, contamination, low morale and alleged suicide attempts aboard the ship.
President Donald Trump called the reports “fake,” and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said they misrepresented conditions.

Summary

US Navy Docking

Mayor Poramet Ngampichet said the carrier’s visit could add about 100 million baht to Pattaya’s tourism revenue.
Thai police organized a large security operation to control traffic and protect the port during the carrier’s visit.
USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and Robert Smalls docked at Sriracha and Map Ta Phut, expanding United States naval presence.
Restaurants and shops reported a noticeable sales boost from thousands of U.S. service members ashore.

History

Historical Context

Since the early 2000s the U.S. Navy has paired strategic ship deployments with regional presence, exemplified by the America-class amphibious assault ship USS America. A $2.4 billion contract was awarded in 2006, the vessel commissioned in July 2014, joined an Amphibious Ready Group in Sasebo in May 2022 and visited Sydney for Exercise Talisman Saber 2025, demonstrating the Navy’s long-term power-projection pattern.

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Abraham Lincoln Departs

USS Abraham Lincoln departed Thailand after a five-day port visit on Sunday.
The carrier’s 286-day deployment, including 264 consecutive sea days, set a modern-day record.
It participated in the opening strikes of Operation Epic Fury against Iran on February 28.
Reports cited food shortages, contamination, low morale and alleged suicide attempts aboard the ship.
President Donald Trump called the reports “fake,” and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said they misrepresented conditions.

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