USS George H.W. Bush arrives off Phuket for five-day visit

The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) arrived in Phuket waters on 4 October 2026 for a visit scheduled to continue until 9 October.

The carrier, carrying about 4,820 personnel, is anchored approximately 1.78 nautical miles (3.3 kilometres) from Phuket Deep Sea Port in Wichit. The destroyer has about 289 personnel on board, bringing the total number of US personnel involved in the visit to approximately 5,109.

Fourteen transport vessels will move personnel between the warships and Phuket. The Phuket Regional Marine Office is coordinating maritime traffic and the movements of the boats.

US personnel are expected to come ashore during the visit for rest and sightseeing around Phuket. Thai police, military, marine officials and other agencies are coordinating security, traffic management and related arrangements.

Security was increased at Phuket Deep Sea Port ahead of the shore leave. Police and military personnel, including plainclothes officers, were deployed around the port, while sniffer dogs were used to check the area. US Navy personnel also inspected the port and established command posts and tents to coordinate the visit.