The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier made its arrival at Thailand's Laem Chabang port in the Gulf of Thailand on Wednesday, following nearly ten months at sea. Spectators were taken aback by the vessel's condition, as rust covered the entire hull of the nearly 1,100-foot-long ship from bow to stern.
CNN released an analysis on the ship's condition after its 286-day maritime journey. The carrier set sail from its base in San Diego back in November 2025.
The mission included several months of combat operations and blockades against Iran in the Middle East. This marks the longest continuous deployment at sea for a modern U.S. aircraft carrier.
Unavoidable Corrosion After Extended Saltwater Exposure
Experts noted that the ship's state was expected, given the length of time it spent at sea. Carl Schuster, a former U.S. Navy captain with three tours on Nimitz-class carriers like the Lincoln, explained that "the presence of rust along the waterline isn’t unusual for a ship engaged in 60 or more continuous days of operations at sea."
Schuster explained that removing the accumulated rust requires a process that cannot be conducted while at sea, especially during combat operations. Workers must descend to the waterline, sand off the rust, and apply two layers of anti-corrosive primer followed by two coats of naval gray paint.
He estimates that "approximately 30 days of maintenance work are needed to eliminate all the rust."
During the stopover in Thailand, which is expected to last several days with a departure between September 6 and 7, only the most critical areas will be addressed.
"The rust on the bow and the front hull will be treated first, as these areas endure the most wear when the ship is moving," the expert clarified.
Schuster also highlighted the dangers of neglecting the issue. "Rust is like a contagious disease. It spreads. Therefore, it’s best to tackle it early to contain it, or face a much larger problem later on." He added that corrosion "weakens any steel structure it attacks," including decks, gangways, and lifelines.
A Historic Deployment Marked by Challenges
The extensive time at sea not only affected the ship's exterior but also had repercussions on morale, supply shortages, and plumbing issues aboard the vessel.
On August 3, a sailor fell overboard but was swiftly rescued within an hour. The crew, consisting of approximately 5,680 members, has arrived in Thailand for their first full period of rest after months of operations.
The Lincoln also set a new record for the longest continuous deployment of a modern U.S. aircraft carrier, surpassing the 206 consecutive days at sea set by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in 2020.
In April of this year, the Lincoln participated in an unprecedented deployment of three aircraft carriers in the Middle East, the first of its kind since 2003, before being relieved by the USS George Washington in August.
Former President Donald Trump downplayed concerns regarding the deployment conditions, asserting that "it wasn’t nearly long enough."
Understanding the USS Abraham Lincoln's Extended Deployment
Why was the USS Abraham Lincoln deployed for such an extended period?
The USS Abraham Lincoln was deployed for an extended period to conduct combat operations and blockades against Iran in the Middle East, making it the longest continuous sea deployment for a modern U.S. aircraft carrier.
What measures are taken to address the rusting of aircraft carriers?
To address rust, workers need to sand off the rust and apply anti-corrosive primer and naval gray paint. This maintenance typically requires about 30 days and is essential to prevent the spread of corrosion.