When the USS Abraham Lincoln pulled into port in Thailand, observers weren't just struck by its massive size—they were shocked by its appearance. The 1,100-foot-long Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was visibly covered in rust from bow to stern.
But while the photos circulating online look dramatic, naval experts say the heavy wear and tear is the harsh reality of a high-intensity deployment.
A Grueling 286-Day Deployment
The warship's weathered exterior is the direct result of 286 days at sea. Since departing its homeport of San Diego last November, the Lincoln has undertaken a marathon deployment. This included months of active combat and blockade operations targeting Iran in the Middle East.
According to Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain who served three tours on Nimitz-class carriers, seeing rust along the waterline is completely normal for any ship operating continuously for 60 days or more. At sea, salt water and choppy waves constantly batter the steel hull, triggering rapid corrosion.
The Science—and Pain—of Fighting Navy Rust
Addressing waterline rust is impossible while a ship is actively moving or engaged in combat operations. To fix it, the vessel must be stationary and free from wave action. The restoration process is incredibly labor-intensive:
- Sailors must be lowered down to the waterline.
- They sand down the rusted steel to bare metal.
- They apply two coats of rust-preventative primer.
- They finish with two coats of standard naval gray paint.
Schuster estimates it will take about 30 days of dedicated preservation work to fully restore the Lincoln. During its current seven-day port call in Laem Chabang, Thailand, crew members will focus only on high-priority, high-abuse areas like the bow and forward hull, which absorb the most corrosive action when moving through choppy seas.
Political Friction Over the Fleet’s Appearance
The rust isn't just a cosmetic issue; it has sparked tension reaching all the way to the White House. Former Navy Secretary John Phelan previously revealed that President Donald Trump has expressed intense frustration over the rusty appearance of US warships, even calling him in the middle of the night to demand they "fix the damn rust."
While Trump has pushed for pristine-looking ships, he has also supported extended naval deployments. Regarding the Lincoln’s record-setting stretch at sea, Trump dismissed concerns about the length of the mission, commenting that the deployment was "not nearly long enough."
Meanwhile, the grueling schedule has reportedly taken a toll on the crew, leading to supply shortages, morale issues, and at least one sailor going overboard. For the crew members currently enjoying their first real rest-and-relaxation break in Thailand, fighting rust remains one of the most tedious, yet critical, battles they face.
