The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier arrived in Thailand with significant rust covering its hull after a 286-day deployment.

The deployment included months of combat and blockade operations against Iran in the Middle East. Former US Navy captain Carl Schuster noted that rust along the waterline is common for ships spending 60 days or more at sea. Schuster stated that the rust can weaken steel structures like decks and walkways if not addressed early. While some upper-level rust can be treated while underway, repairs along the waterline require the ship to be stationary. Schuster estimated that it would take approximately 30 days of preservation work to remove all the rust. During the seven-day port visit, crews will perform high-priority work on the bow and forward hull areas, which experience the most abuse from moving through salt water. President Trump dismissed concerns regarding the ship's appearance, stating the deployment was not nearly long enough. The administration has previously called for the Navy to address the rust problem on warships facing longer deployments.