After an extensive deployment that lasted 286 days at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln has finally docked in Thailand, bringing with it 5,000 U.S. sailors eager for shore leave in the renowned tourist town of Pattaya. While the mood is celebratory among the crew, who are thrilled to swap their boots for flip-flops, authorities are preparing for their arrival with a crackdown on local sex work due to the city’s reputation as a sex tourism hotspot. Amid tales of joy and mixed sentiments, the sailors reflect on their long deployment in the Middle East. As they take a well-deserved break, Pattaya braces for the influx of U.S. service members, with local law enforcement tightening regulations amidst concerns over prostitution. This port call marks a significant moment for the USS Abraham Lincoln, ending a record stretch at sea.