US Aircraft Carrier George H.W. Bush Arrives off Thailand for Rest-and-Recreation Visit

Sooppharoek Teepapan

USS George H.W. Bush arrives for retreat after supporting operations in Middle East, in Phuket.

The US aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush arrived off Thailand’s resort island of Phuket on Sunday, carrying around 4,800 personnel for a rest-and-recreation break following months of supporting US military operations in the Middle East.

The Nimitz-class carrier had been operating in the Arabian Sea during the conflict with Iran, according to multiple media reports.

The carrier will remain anchored offshore, while its crew are expected to come ashore through Phuket Deep Sea Port and spend time on the popular southern resort island from 4 to 9 October, local media reported.

The visit follows a five-day port call by the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln at Laem Chabang in eastern Thailand last month, with around 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard.

A local mayor estimated that each US service member from the Lincoln could spend up to 3,000 baht ($89) per day during the visit.

Thailand is the United States’ only treaty ally in mainland Southeast Asia.

Source: Reuters



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