Farewell Pattaya! USS Abraham Lincoln sails from Thailand after nearly 5,000 US sailors and Marines enjoy four days ashore. Captain Dan Keeler thanks the Thai people as the mighty carrier returns to Seventh Fleet operations and home within the month.
The USS Abraham Lincoln sailed from Thailand on Sunday after a high-profile four-day visit that brought nearly 5,000 American sailors and Marines ashore. It was the giant carrier’s first Thai visit in more than 14 years. Thousands descended on Pattaya for rest, sightseeing and recreation under a major Thai security operation. Meanwhile, two other US warships called at Sriracha and Map Ta Phut. Captain Dan Keeler thanked Thailand for its warm hospitality before the carrier left Laem Chabang. The US Embassy hailed the visit as a demonstration of America’s long-term regional commitment. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group then returned to Seventh Fleet operations, including patrols to deter aggression and strengthen alliances. Meanwhile, it is due home in San Diego within a month.
The USS Abraham Lincoln sailed from Thailand on Sunday after a four-day visit involving nearly 5,000 American military personnel. The giant United States Navy aircraft carrier departed Laem Chabang after completing its scheduled September 2-6 port call. Before leaving, its commander thanked the Thai people for their warm hospitality. Meanwhile, sailors and Marines returned aboard before the carrier moved away from the Chonburi coast.
Captain Dan Keeler, commanding officer of the USS Abraham Lincoln, praised the reception received by his crew. He said Pattaya provided valuable rest and recreation following maritime operations. Moreover, he described the Thailand visit as a memorable part of the carrier strike group’s deployment. The United States Embassy in Bangkok confirmed the carrier’s departure on September 6.
“We want to thank the Thai people for their hospitality,” Captain Keeler said. “The port visit to Pattaya provided this crew with ample rest and was a memorable experience for the fleet.”
The USS Abraham Lincoln is expected to return to its San Diego homeport in late September or early October, although the US Navy has yet to announce a firm homecoming date. In the meantime, it has other duties in the Pacific.
Captain Keeler thanks Thailand for warm hospitality as carrier crew prepares for further regional missions
Furthermore, Captain Keeler praised Thailand’s culture, history and reception of American personnel. “Thailand has a rich culture and history, combined with warm hospitality,” he said. He added that this had been “clearly reflected in this port visit”.
“We are grateful to our Thai partners for their hospitality,” Captain Keeler added. He also looked ahead to further operations involving Thailand and regional partners. “We look forward to continuing our missions with Fleet VII,” he said. Those missions would continue with “Thailand and other allies and partners in the region”.
The Nimitz-class USS Abraham Lincoln, designated CVN-72, is the carrier strike group’s flagship. Significantly, this was the aircraft carrier’s first visit to Thailand in more than 14 years. It arrived at Laem Chabang on September 2 following a series of maritime missions. The carrier brought approximately 5,000 personnel into Chonburi for the scheduled stop.
During the visit, thousands of sailors and Marines travelled into Pattaya for shore leave. Personnel visited tourist locations and participated in activities around the area. Consequently, they experienced Thailand outside the confines of the massive aircraft carrier. The Navy said this gave personnel a better understanding of Thai people, lifestyle and culture.
Nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines take shore leave as three US Navy warships visit eastern Thailand
The stop also provided rest, recreation and logistical support. Meanwhile, the Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation programme worked directly with Thai businesses. Together, they arranged sightseeing tours and activities for visiting personnel. The programme allowed crews to make greater use of their limited time ashore.
Moreover, the USS Abraham Lincoln was not the only American warship visiting eastern Thailand. The USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. docked in the Sriracha area of Chonburi. Meanwhile, the USS Robert Smalls entered the Map Ta Phut area of neighbouring Rayong province. Therefore, the naval visit extended across several locations along Thailand’s eastern seaboard.
The USS Abraham Lincoln remained the largest component of the deployment. Its presence generated substantial movements of American personnel between Laem Chabang and Pattaya. Consequently, Thai agencies prepared security and transport arrangements throughout the visit.
Pattaya agencies, local government bodies and police worked together during the four-day operation. Security measures covered tourist areas used by American personnel. Additionally, officials secured transfer routes connecting Pattaya with Laem Chabang Port. Those arrangements continued until crews began returning to their ships on Sunday.
Thai agencies secure Pattaya and transfer routes as USS Abraham Lincoln prepares to leave Chonburi
The influx was particularly visible in Pattaya. Nearly 5,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel had opportunities to spend time ashore during the stop. Many visited tourist areas, while others joined organised activities. Meanwhile, Thai businesses worked with the Navy to provide tours and recreational opportunities.
By Sunday, however, attention had shifted back to Laem Chabang. American personnel gradually returned aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln according to schedule. Reporters at the port described a busy atmosphere as final preparations were completed. Then the enormous aircraft carrier began moving away from Laem Chabang.
The send-off produced warm scenes along the waterfront. Thai officials and others at the port waved towards the departing carrier. In response, some American personnel aboard the ship waved back. The carrier then slowly moved away before heading towards open water.
Its departure formally ended the September 2-6 visit. However, it also marked the resumption of the carrier strike group’s maritime programme. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group operates within the United States Seventh Fleet’s area of responsibility. Its subordinate units conduct continuing patrol missions across the region.
According to the United States Navy, those missions are intended to deter aggression. They also strengthen relationships with allies and regional partners. Furthermore, the Navy says its operations support peace through mutual strength and cooperation.
US Embassy stresses regional commitment as carrier strike group resumes Seventh Fleet patrol missions
The United States Embassy also stressed the regional importance of the Thailand visit. It specifically cited the American naval presence around Sriracha and Pattaya. Moreover, it linked those visits with continuing Seventh Fleet operations. The embassy said the activity demonstrated Washington’s emphasis on allies and partners.
Furthermore, it said the operations reflected the United States’ long-term commitment to the region. The Thailand stop therefore combined crew rest, logistical support and continuing regional cooperation.
The scale of the carrier made the visit particularly visible. The USS Abraham Lincoln is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier carrying approximately 5,000 personnel during the Thailand stop. Thousands subsequently went ashore during the four-day visit. Meanwhile, two accompanying warships extended the American naval presence farther along the eastern seaboard.
The USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. operated from Sriracha, while the USS Robert Smalls visited Map Ta Phut. Consequently, three United States Navy vessels visited locations across Chonburi and Rayong.
Pattaya remained the principal shore-leave destination for personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln. Sailors and Marines visited tourist areas and participated in organised activities. At the same time, Thai police and local agencies handled security and movement around the city. Officials also facilitated transfers between Pattaya and Laem Chabang.
Four-day Pattaya shore leave ends as USS Abraham Lincoln completes first Thailand visit in 14 years
Sunday brought the four-day operation to a close. The remaining personnel returned aboard before the USS Abraham Lincoln prepared to leave. Subsequently, reporters watched as the massive carrier began moving from the port. Thai officials and people on shore waved goodbye as American personnel responded from aboard.
The departure came four days after the carrier’s September 2 arrival. Significantly, that arrival ended an absence of more than 14 years from Thailand. It also brought one of the world’s largest naval vessels and nearly 5,000 personnel into Chonburi.
Captain Keeler’s farewell message focused firmly on the reception his crew received. He praised Thailand’s culture, history and hospitality. Moreover, he said Pattaya gave his personnel an opportunity to rest and rejuvenate. He also looked ahead to continued missions involving Thailand and other regional partners.
Carrier returns to Seventh Fleet operations after nearly 5,000 personnel complete Thailand port visit
Meanwhile, the United States Embassy placed the visit within the wider Seventh Fleet mission. It said American forces conduct continuing patrols to deter aggression and strengthen alliances and cooperation. The carrier strike group resumed those routine operations after leaving Thailand.
By Sunday afternoon, the port visit was over. Nearly 5,000 American personnel had experienced four days of shore leave, sightseeing and activities in Thailand. Three United States Navy vessels had visited locations across Chonburi and Rayong. The USS Abraham Lincoln had also completed its first Thailand visit in more than 14 years.
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Finally, with its personnel back aboard, the carrier headed out from Laem Chabang and returned to sea. Captain Keeler left Thailand with a direct message to his hosts. He thanked the Thai people for their welcome and said his crew would remember the visit.
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