USS George H.W. Bush arrives off Phuket with 4,800 aboard for port visit
The US aircraft carrier arrived off Phuket for a rest-and-recreation stop after a six-month deployment supporting operations in the Middle East.
The US aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush arrived off Phuket on Sunday, 4 October 2026, with about 4,800 personnel aboard for a rest-and-recreation break after months supporting US operations in the Middle East.
The carrier is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 10, which includes its embarked staff, Carrier Air Wing 7 with nine aviation squadrons, USS Mason, and Destroyer Squadron 22 with the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Ross and USS Donald Cook.
The Phuket visit is the strike group’s first port call since it departed Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida, in March for its deployment.
The US Navy said the group had spent the previous six months supporting Operation Epic Fury and a US naval blockade in the US Central Command area of responsibility, with the aim of maintaining maritime security and stability in the Middle East.
“The performance and resiliency of this strike group over the last six months has been exceptional,” said Rear Adm Todd Cimicata, commander of Carrier Strike Group 10.
Cimicata described Thailand as one of the United States’ oldest friends and said the Phuket visit would give US sailors an opportunity to experience Thai culture.
The strike group’s leadership is scheduled to meet Thai civilian and military officials during the visit to highlight the importance of bilateral relations. Sailors are also expected to join sightseeing tours and community-relations activities in Phuket, including a football match between US and Thai teams hosted by the George H.W. Bush Morale, Recreation and Welfare Committee.
Capt Justin Issler, commanding officer of USS George H.W. Bush, said the visit would allow sailors to rest after the deployment while engaging with the local community and strengthening ties with Thai maritime partners.
The US Navy said the carrier was conducting routine operations in the US 7th Fleet area of operations and working with allies and partners to support a free, open, connected, prosperous, secure and resilient Indo-Pacific.
