USS George H.W. Bush docks at Phuket for crew rest after Middle East ops

The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush entered the waters off Phuket on Sunday, bringing a complement of roughly 4,800 personnel who have been operating in the Arabian Sea during the conflict with Iran. The vessel will remain anchored offshore while its crew is expected to use Phuket Deep Sea Port to reach the popular southern resort, where they will stay from October 4 through October 9.

This deployment follows a five-day port call by the carrier Abraham Lincoln at Laem Chabang in eastern Thailand last month, which hosted about 5,000 sailors and Marines. A local mayor estimated that each U.S. service member could spend as much as 3,000 baht per day while in Thailand. Thailand remains the United States’ sole treaty partner on the mainland of Southeast Asia. The visit underscores the navy’s practice of providing rest and recreation for crews after extended operations in conflict zones.