US Carrier Abraham Lincoln Undergoes Hull Cleaning in Thailand

The US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, currently docked in Thailand, has undergone hull cleaning to remove rust and seaweed that had accumulated on its exterior. Videos posted on social media on September 4th showed Thai workers on scaffolding using high-pressure water jets to scrub the hull. While large sections appeared cleaned, rust and algae stains remained visible on other parts of the ship. It remains unclear whether this cleaning was a pre-planned maintenance activity or a response to the carrier's visibly degraded appearance upon its arrival in Thailand. Joseph Trevithick, an editor at the US military publication The War Zone, noted that extended deployments, constant exposure to seawater, and a lack of dry-dock maintenance can significantly worsen rust and wear on a warship's hull, potentially compromising its integrity and leading to further issues. The severity of rust on naval vessels can also considerably impact maintenance operations, potentially extending dry-dock periods and increasing costs, thereby reducing overall combat readiness. Rust on US Navy ships is not a new problem and has drawn criticism over the years, including from former President Donald Trump, partly due to the negative image it projects, especially when ships visit foreign ports. Mark Lattner, director of the US Navy's Performance and Assessment division, acknowledged earlier this year that the service had not prioritized addressing the rust issue on its warships for many years, opting to focus on other pressing matters. The US Navy has outlined strategies to combat this, including developing new assessment processes for monitoring ship condition, enhancing crew training, and contracting professional teams for painting and repair tasks. The USS Abraham Lincoln departed from Naval Base San Diego in November 2025 for a deployment in the Pacific, later shifting focus to the Middle East. It played a key role in significant operations against Iran and subsequent efforts to enforce maritime blockades. The carrier spent most of its deployment at sea, with only brief port calls in Guam in December 2025 and Oman in July. Typically, US carriers return to port every 30-45 days for resupply, maintenance, and crew rest. Concerns about the USS Abraham Lincoln's extended deployment grew following reports of crew mental health issues and shortages of supplies like food and toiletries. Numerous sailors were reportedly contemplating suicide. However, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that reports on the ship's living conditions were "completely distorted," and President Trump suggested the carrier had not been "out long enough."