When the USS Abraham Lincoln limped into port in Thailand after a record deployment, its stunning appearance set off shock waves that ricochetted across the internet.
The battered aircraft carrier docked on Wednesday, Sept. 2, south of Bangkok after 286 days at sea, covered in rust and looking run-down, almost decrepit.
The ship left its home port of San Diego last November for a standard six-month mission. But Defense chief Pete Hegseth diverted it to the Persian Gulf after President Donald Trump launched his unapproved and deadly war on Iran in late February.
The ship was then unable to make port calls, which led to supply chain disruptions and fresh food shortages.
Ship Problems
Other problems related to the long deployment included a lack of hot water, mold, long stretches without laundry service, broken toilets, and no hygiene supplies, such as deodorant and toothpaste.
Over the summer family members of the crew started going public with stories about the horrendous conditions on the Nimitz-class carrier, including sailors jumping overboard to escape the increasingly dire conditions on the ship.
The Navy confirmed last month that one sailor did jump overboard. He was rescued and taken for a mental health evaluation. The Navy later announced he is facing charges, including abandoning his post.
But experts tell CNN the ship’s run-down appearance isn’t unusual after months and months at sea and combat operation against Iran.
“Rust along the waterline is not unusual on a ship that has spent 60 days or more of operations continuously at sea,” former US Navy captain and aircraft carrier veteran Carl Schuster told the network.
He added that there’s no way to address the rust problem at sea.
“Based on what I am seeing, you are looking at about 30 days of preservation work to remove all the rust,” Schuster said.
USS Abraham Lincoln (and her aircraft) looking worse for wear as she pulls into Sattahip/Pattaya in Thailand pic.twitter.com/nyWvZy8prk
— Mike Yeo 杨启铭 (@TheBaseLeg) September 2, 2026
‘Rust Bucket Old Tub’
Social media reacted in disgust, criticizing what many call Trump and Hegseth’s mismanagement of the U.S. military.
“What a rust bucket old tub. The USS Abraham Lincoln limping into port like it was shot in the head at a theatre,” a Threads user angrily stated above a video of the ship arriving in Thailand.
Another had similar thoughts, also posting a picture of the ship covered in rust.
“This is the USS Lincoln. This is what ‘Increases Lethality’ looks like under Pete ‘Whisky Leaks’ Hegseth’s leadership. Never have I seen a US ship under way on operational deployments in this state of disrepair. This is what you get when you put a Drunk Fox News Fuk boi in charge of the nations military. He’s a joke and is now making our nation’s military look like a joke. Remove him NOW.”
Others chimed in, “I cant even imagine what the inside looks like.”
“This, ladies and gentlemen, is how we treat the men and women that serve our country. I’m disgusted,” a Threads user proclaimed.
More piled on. “W in T actual F!!! This is so sad. This damn ship is limping back to Port.”
A Troubling Sign
Trump and Hegseth have publicly dismissed struggling sailors and their families’ concerns. The president at one point earlier this month said the carrier had not been out “nearly long enough.” He called reports about the conditions on the ship “fake.”
Hegseth denied there were any problems aboard the warship. Instead, he accused the media of “completely misrepresenting” conditions aboard the vessel.
Family members spoke out again after the ship reached Thailand.
The father of a Lincoln Airman told ABC News that he’s against Trump’s war on Iran, but he does support his son’s military 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,” Kelly Lattig, the father of 20-year-old Tray Daniels, said.
Most Navy deployments last about six months. The Lincoln blew past that this summer. It’s expected to remain docked in Thailand for a few days before heading home to San Diego.
The USS George Washington replaced the Lincoln in the Persian Gulf several weeks ago as Trump’s ongoing war on Tehran heads into its seventh month.
