Meet USS Abraham Lincoln, the nuclear-powered warship bringing 5,000 troops to Thailand

The USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is set to make a port visit to Thailand next week with approximately 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard. Departing San Diego on November 21, 2025, the carrier was previously deployed in the Middle East due to escalating tensions with Iran. It recently concluded a prolonged period of 200 consecutive days without docking, a significant amount of time for a US aircraft carrier.

Accompanying the Lincoln during its visit will be two other vessels from its carrier strike group, with security details preventing the exact location or schedule from being disclosed. The Royal Thai Navy described the visit as routine, not involving any joint military exercises, as part of ongoing defense cooperation between the nations.

Commissioned in 1989, the carrier spans 1,092 feet (333 meters) and displaces over 104,000 tons. Powered by two A4W nuclear reactors, it can sustain operations at sea for extended periods without the need for conventional fuel, allowing it to function as a floating airbase. The carrier's air wing comprises F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Hawkeyes, and MH-60 helicopters/CMV-22B Ospreys, enabling a comprehensive range of missions from air defense to long-range strikes.

Operating the nuclear-powered Lincoln necessitates a substantial crew of around 3,200 sailors, complemented by thousands more personnel from the air wing, Marines, and other support staff. The extended mission has led to reports of fatigue, declining morale, mental health issues, and shortages of supplies. Despite these challenges, US officials have defended the crew's capability, while the upcoming visit to Thailand offers the crew a limited opportunity for rest and recuperation before returning to the United States.