The San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln sailed past Singapore before dawn Sunday en route to Thailand, where the flattop will make its first port call in more than eight months, The Associated Press reported.
The Lincoln is traveling from the Middle East, where it was deployed in support of the war against Iran. Its deployment included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 250 days. Concerns have grown about the Lincoln’s lengthy deployment following reports of deteriorating mental health among the crew and shortages of supplies including food and hygiene products.
The AP also said it had confirmed that the 1,040-foot carrier will dock at Thailand’s Laem Chabang Port when it arrives, which is expected to occur Wednesday.
It’s also possible that the carrier will make a stop in Guam to pick up supplies. Such visits are not unusual when warships are returning to California from the Indo-Pacific and Middle East.
On Sunday, the Lincoln was more than 7,000 miles from San Diego and not expected to arrive at Naval Air Station North Island until late September, at the earliest.
The Navy says a San Diego carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, is preparing to leave on deployment, something that could happen in the next seven to 10 days.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.