About 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard the ship docked at the Laem Chabang port in Thailand on September 2, beginning a five‑day rest‑and‑recuperation stop, as announced by Thai officials.

The carrier had been deployed since November of the previous year, taking part in the U.S. naval blockade and combat operations linked to the war with Iran; while typical deployments last six to nine months, they can be extended during conflict.

Thailand has been a U.S. treaty ally since 1954 and was designated a major non‑NATO ally in 2003, making the visit a clear demonstration of the long‑standing partnership between the two militaries.

Local authorities expect the port call to give a noticeable lift to the nearby resort city of Pattaya. Around 40 buses will shuttle the crew between the carrier and the city, and street vendors have stocked extra goods in anticipation of higher sales, Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches said.

Rear Admiral Robert E. Loughran, commander of Carrier Strike Group 3, said the stop provides a “well‑deserved opportunity for our Sailors and Marines to rest and recharge,” highlighting the human side of such a long deployment.