The USS Abraham Lincoln has departed Laem Chabang, Thailand, after a five-day port visit that gave about 5,000 sailors and Marines a break following roughly 286 days at sea. The carrier, flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, left on Sunday after a rare rest and recuperation stop near Pattaya following extended operations in the Middle East and continued duty in the US 7th Fleet area.
The visit was intended as a short recovery period rather than an operational tasking, giving the crew time ashore after months underway. Local authorities imposed some restrictions during shore leave, including limits on certain activities, as the ship’s company used the stop to rest and recharge.
The call also underlined the continuing naval relationship between the United States and Thailand. The ship arrived in Thailand on Tuesday and remained in port through the week before getting under way again on Sunday.