The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is set to make a temporary stop in Thailand next week as it heads back to the United States, Thai navy officials said, after spending more than 250 consecutive days at sea supporting US operations against Iran amid recent reports of poor living conditions and low morale onboard the vessel.
Routine port visit for rest and logistics
The Lincoln left the Middle East several days ago after being relieved by the USS George Washington, and is now heading home to San Diego. A Thai navy official told Reuters this week that the carrier was expected to make a brief port visit in Thailand next week for the crew to rest and recuperate before continuing their journey home.
“The stop is a routine port visit intended to allow personnel to rest and recuperate ... as well as to receive logistical support,” the spokesperson for the Thai navy said.
Earlier this week, the Thai navy said that three ships from a US navy carrier strike group would be making a brief port call in eastern Thailand to allow personnel to rest. No military exercises would take place during the visit, the statement added. The Thai navy did not identify the vessels or provide a date.
Reports of poor conditions and low morale
The planned stop comes as the Lincoln’s deployment has faced scrutiny in recent weeks amid reports of poor living conditions onboard among its crew. Family members of sailors have described shortages of supplies and water, plumbing problems, low morale and worsening mental health among the roughly 5,000 personnel on the carrier. The Navy Times also reported that there had been several attempts by sailors to jump overboard.
On Wednesday, the wife of a sailor who jumped overboard told MS Now that her husband, who she said had since returned to the US, was now facing disciplinary action from the navy.
Charging documents viewed by MS Now reportedly accuse the sailor of violating Article 83 for “malingering”, which is defined as someone who, “with the intent to avoid work, duty, or service” fakes “illness, physical disablement, mental lapse, or mental derangement” or “intentionally inflicts self-injury”.
The document also reportedly accuses the sailor of violating Article 86 for “absence without leave” which is when the service member, without authority, “fails to go to his appointed place of duty at the time prescribed”, “goes from that place” or “absents himself or remains absent from his unit, organization, or place of duty at which he is required to be at the time prescribed”.
Family impact and navy response
The couple, both 19, have a three-year-old son and welcomed a daughter in February while he was deployed. His wife told the outlet that he had requested paternity leave but was denied.
The sailor is now reportedly facing non-judicial punishment, which MS Now notes is typically used by commanding officers to address minor rule-breaking without a court martial.
The navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Guardian. In a statement to MS Now about the decision to pursue a non-judicial punishment for the sailor, a navy official said that “the Navy is fully committed to the health and wellbeing of every Sailor”.
“We strive to foster environments that support mental health by removing barriers to seeking help, increasing awareness of resources, and taking appropriate action when someone is in need,” they added. “Mental health resources are available to our Sailors 24/7, and asking for help is a sign of strength.”
The Lincoln left San Diego on 21 November bound for the Pacific, but was redirected to the Middle East. It has since spent more than 250 consecutive days without a significant port visit.
Reports about the conditions onboard have prompted several Democratic lawmakers to demand answers from the Pentagon.
