Newsweek reports that the USS Abraham Lincoln will make another port stop before returning to the United States, extending a deployment that has already lasted 286 days. The carrier was originally expected home in early summer but was diverted from the IndoPacific to the Middle East in January to support U.S. operations during the Iran war. A family member of a Lincoln sailor told Newsweek that the additional stop is needed because the carrier still has to fulfill time originally assigned to the IndoPacific after being diverted. The Navy has not independently confirmed that explanation, and Newsweek notes that multiple port visits during a carrier's return phase are not unusual and can serve maintenance, logistical, diplomatic and crew welfare purposes. Publicly available Navy material also does not establish that carriers must “make up” a fixed number of days after a diversion. The Lincoln arrived in Thailand on Sept. 2 after approximately 250 days without a port visit, allowing roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines to go ashore. The Navy says the carrier will return as part of a planned rotation, while congressional lawmakers have raised questions about the deployment's effect on service member well being, maintenance schedules and fleet readiness. Source: Photo:

The United States’ engagement in the ASEAN Regional Forum demonstrates U.S. support for a free and open IndoPacific across all security domains, including maritime security, nonproliferation and disarmament, and information and communications technology. Glad to be a part of the ARF Senior Officials’ Meeting in Manila. -MGD

For variety and sampling life in the Indo-Pacific, try @HMS_Spey. Overhaul in Singapore. Extensive training in the Gulf of Thailand. Patrol of the South China Sea. Exercises in the Philippines. International relations in Japan. 🇬🇧🇸🇬🇵🇭🇯🇵 ➡️

The F-15EX Eagle II is back in the Indo-Pacific. Training at Kadena AB is helping Airmen prepare for the aircraft's permanent arrival while advancing integration with joint partners.

This potentially gives commanders another mechanism for managing dangerous encounters across the Indo-Pacific. Read more: #unitedstates# #china# #donaldtrump# #xijinping# #military#