⚓️ 🇺🇸 🇹🇭 Under heavy escort, the USS Abraham Lincoln transited the Strait of Malacca and Singapore Strait over the weekend, en route to Thailand for a highly publicized and much-needed liberty port call. Guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls led the three-ship column, with guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. following astern of the supercarrier as she entered the South China Sea.

Multiple Thai officials have confirmed the upcoming port visit since it was first reported last week, with the flattop expected to pull into port at Laem Chabang in the coming days.

Meanwhile, America’s other two deployed carrier groups are in the Middle East enforcing the ongoing blockade as the U.S. and Iran exchange fire for the first time since July.

The unannounced addition of Ticonderoga class cruiser USS Robert Smalls, which has historically served as IAMD commander for the carriers forward-deployed out of Yokosuka, Japan, adds 122 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells packed with missiles for protection and firepower. The rationale for the additional Tico cruiser, an iconic class that will be completely retired over the coming years without a comparable replacement, is unclear. TWZ has not received an on-the-record response from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) or U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) public affairs explaining the redirection.

https://www.twz.com/sea/where-are-the-aircraft-carriers-uss-abraham-lincoln-escorted-to-thailand-as-the-middle-east-heats-up

📎 Ian Ellis