Family members speak out as USS Lincoln docks in Thailand after record 9 months at sea

Family members of some of the sailors aboard the USS Lincoln spoke out Wednesday after the ship docked in Thailand after a record 286 days at sea.

The visit marks the ship's first full port stop since the start of its deployment to the Middle East in November 2025. The USS Lincoln will be docked for several days before heading to its home base in San Diego.

"Our arrival in Laem Chabang provides a well-deserved opportunity for our Sailors and Marines to rest and recharge," Rear Adm. Robert E. Loughran, commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, said in a statement released by the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Thailand.

In active combat, the Lincoln faced repeated missile and drone attacks, said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During the carrier's record-breaking deployment, Democrats raised concerns in a letter to defense officials over alleged food shortages, plumbing problems and declining mental health among crew members.

Arriving in Thailand on Wednesday, the Lincoln's hull was seen covered in rust due to prolonged exposure to the elements.

The Navy dismissed concerns over the conditions aboard, and President Donald Trump said that the deployment was "not nearly long enough." Hegseth said the reports of poor conditions were "completely misrepresented."

Kelly Lattig, the father of Trayoni (Tray) Daniels, 20, an airman deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln said that while he does not support the war, he does support his son and his service.

"Imagine if you're Tray or any of the other 5,000 kids, and the president comes on and says that you haven't been on the ship nearly long enough," said Lattig. "Well, gee, how does that make you feel? It's just terrible messaging, and frustrating and makes America look weak and stupid. Frustrating, and I can't imagine that helping their morale any."

The approximately 5,000 sailors with the Lincoln will spend some free time during the stop in Pattaya, Thailand, a beach city known for its nightlife.

Kendra Carver, Daniels' mother said she hasn't been able to call her son since he was first deployed. She said he relayed via Instagram messages some issues of supplies getting to the ship in April, but did not indicate that he was impacted by it.

"Just knowing when he's going to get back. I think that's probably the biggest thing," Carver said.

Cristi McGarey, a Chicago-based mother of a sailor aboard the Lincoln said she felt "so relieved," when she received a message this morning from her son that they were being ported.

She said she's had trouble reaching her son since he was first deployed on the Lincoln and that she had been worried about the conditions aboard.

"They can't say this job sucks and leave. To have the people in power neglect them to take care of them, when they are running out of food that is unacceptable," McGarey said.

The Lincoln has been replaced by the USS George Washington, which is operating in the Middle East as of Aug. 20, according to the U.S. Central Command.