The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has been described as a sorry sight after spending almost 300 days at sea.
Images of the warship surfaced after it made an intermediate stop off the coast of Thailand while traveling back to the United States following a long deployment to the Middle East.
Telegram channel Military Observer drew attention to the physical condition of the aircraft carrier after photographs captured its appearance at sea. The channel pointed out multiple areas of severe corrosion on the hull of the USS Abraham Lincoln alongside a massive accumulation of marine algae. It also recalled that sailors serving on the vessel had previously complained about the poor state of the on-board plumbing system.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, operating as one of the major capital warships in the United States Navy. Powered by two nuclear reactors, Nimitz-class vessels are built to project military power worldwide and can operate for decades without refueling.
Thailand, located in Southeast Asia, frequently hosts visiting United States Navy vessels for logistical stops and crew rest as warships transit between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.
Deployment to the Middle East
The nuclear carrier was deployed to the Middle East in January 2026 to carry out operational tasks connected to the war with Iran. The ship served as a strike platform for a full complement of naval aircraft throughout its deployment.
Aircraft stationed on board the carrier include F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters, F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, and E-2 Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft, known as flying radars.
The Super Hornet and stealth F-35C form the primary offensive strike force for carrier air wings. EA-18G Growlers provide specialized electronic attack and radar suppression capabilities, while the twin-engine E-2 Hawkeye serves as an airborne command center to monitor surrounding airspace and coordinate naval operations.
US Navy catapult systems
The report on the vessel comes after news in August that US President Donald Trump ordered the US Navy to return to steam catapults on flight decks of Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.
Gerald R. Ford-class warships were designed as the successor to the Nimitz class, replacing traditional steam catapults with new electromagnetic launch technology. Catapults are critical flight deck systems that accelerate heavy combat aircraft to flight speed over a short distance during takeoff.
