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Rusty State of USS Abraham Lincoln After Marathon Deployment Shocks Observers
The carrier arrived after 286 days at sea, and experts said the rust is normal but will require extensive maintenance.
On Wednesday, the 1,100-foot-long USS Abraham Lincoln docked in Laem Chabang, Thailand, appearing heavily covered in rust following a 286-day deployment from its San Diego homeport.
Experts note that rust along the waterline is expected on ships continuously at sea for 60 days or more; the Lincoln spent its deployment conducting combat and blockade operations against Iran in the Middle East.
Former Navy captain Carl Schuster explained that removing the rust requires about 30 days of preservation work, though crews will address only critical areas during the seven-day Thailand port visit.
President Donald Trump has previously criticized the Navy over warship appearances; former Navy Secretary John Phelan recalled Trump demanding he 'Fix the damn rust' during late-night calls.
Beyond maintenance concerns, the Lincoln's deployment faced reports of morale problems and supply shortages, yet Trump dismissed these concerns, saying the deployment was 'not nearly long enough.
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Opie Radio discuss the USS Abraham Lincoln’s weeklong Thailand port call after 286 days at sea, crew condition concerns, and Trump’s “not long enough” remark