USS Abraham Lincoln headed for port in Thailand after 250 days at sea

USS Abraham Lincoln headed for port in Thailand after 250 days at sea Crew aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln spent months without a port call.

Key points

• The George Washington is a Japan-based aircraft carrier, the same type of Nimitz-class carrier as the USS Lincoln, according to its naval website profile.
• The George Washington left a port in Vietnam earlier in August, according to the ship's Facebook page.
• USA TODAY documented in April on conditions aboard the Lincoln and the USS Tripoli, additionally deployed to the Middle East.
• President Trump rejected reservations concerning USS Abraham Lincoln sailors as reports cite exhaustion, suicide attempts and extended deployment.
• 18 text exchange shared with USA TODAY, a sailor on the Lincoln asked her relative to send recommendations for a couple of hotels in Thailand.

Crew members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln finally have a port call scheduled, according to texts sent to family members and shared with USA TODAY.

In practice, the Lincoln has a planned stop in Thailand in early September, the texts say. The aircraft carrier is sailing home after an extended, record-setting deployment in the Middle East against the backdrop of the U.S. War in Iran.

In an Aug. 18 text exchange shared with USA TODAY, a sailor on the Lincoln asked her relative to send recommendations for a couple of hotels in Thailand. In a separate text exchange, a relative informed her family member she was excited for him as he had always talked regarding going to Thailand.

More: Families of USS Abraham Lincoln crew upset over Trump, Hegseth remarks.

Spokespeople informed USA TODAY the Navy does not comment on future operations or ship movements as of operational security.

For context, the ship began its journey home after the U.S. Central Command, which oversees military action in the Middle East, confirmed that the USS George Washington had arrived in the Arabian Sea.

For context, the aircraft carrier created headlines after Democrats in Congress and family members of service members triggered concern concerning conditions on the ship, citing crew members' mental health and reports of a sailor who had jumped overboard. They additionally informed relatives regarding cold showers, clogged toilets and inadequate supplies.

USA TODAY spoke with family members who additionally expressed frustration concerning the lack of clear timelines for when their loved ones would return. They remarked they were incensed by President Donald Trump's comments Aug. 14 when he remarked that families weren't concerned concerning the conditions on the ship and that, in his view, the deployment had not gone on almost long enough.

USA TODAY documented in April on conditions aboard the Lincoln and the USS Tripoli, additionally deployed to the Middle East. A photo shared with a USA TODAY reporter indicated a small handful of boiled carrots, a dry meat patty and a slab of gray processed meat from a meal on the Lincoln. How long has the USS Lincoln been at sea?

For context, the Lincoln left port in San Diego on Nov. 21, 2025. The crew projected a six-month deployment. The aircraft carrier created one port stop in Guam in mid-December, according to the Navy. Notably, the carrier has since been at sea for more than 250 consecutive days in its nine-month deployment, a record-breaking stint for a carrier without a port stop, according to a review of the lone port-stop announcements.

Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, remarked the ship is anticipated back at its home port within weeks after "a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea." What daily life was like aboard the USS Lincoln.

Families of USS Lincoln sailors describe poor food, broken facilities, hot water shortages and delayed packages during an extended deployment. When will the Lincoln arrive in the U.S.?

Notably, a USA TODAY analysis of the journey length and ship speed. It included a review of similar journeys, discovered the ship probably would arrive at the U.S. Mainland in four to five weeks if no unexpected changes were produced in the journey. Where will the Lincoln go next?

For context, the military declined to provide USA TODAY with details on the route or timing. It is standard in such situations. After it returns to San Diego, the Lincoln will probably find a new home at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, according to the Kitsap Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network. What is the significance of the USS George Washington's deployment?

For context, the George Washington is a Japan-based aircraft carrier, the same type of Nimitz-class carrier as the USS Lincoln, according to its naval website profile.

"The largest warships in the world, Nimitz-class aircraft carriers support and operate aircraft that engage in attacks on airborne, afloat, and ashore targets that threaten free use of the sea and engage in sustained power projection operations in support of U.S. And coalition forces, " the site notes.

For context, the George Washington left a port in Vietnam earlier in August, according to the ship's Facebook page. It highlights some action aboard the ship and details regarding its operations. The site notes there are 5, 000 sailors on board, and previously week, the ship celebrated its 200, 000th arrest landing in its 34 years. An arrest landing is a common maneuver carriers employ to land returning aircraft. Contributing: Bart Jansen and Joey Garrison. SMS Facebook Twitter Email. Share your feedback to support improve our site! Share your feedback to support improve our site!

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